Nitronic acids and esters

20 downloads 0 Views 5MB Size Report
solution-Michael addition ...... Michael addition of a I-nitroalkene to cyclohexane- 1,3-dione ...... E. Noland and J. M. Eakrnan, J. Org. Chem., 26, 41 18 (1961).
Nitrones, Nitronates and Nitroxides Edited by S. Patai and 2.Rappoport @ 1989John Wiley & Sons Ltd

CHAPTER 1

Nitronic acids and esters ARNOLD T. NIELSEN Michelson Laboratory, Naval Weapons Center, China Lake, California I. INTRODUCTION .

11. ACI-NITROTAUTOMERISM . A. Introduction B. Tautomerization of Nitronic Acids to Nitroalkanes . C. Proton Removal from Nitroalkanes . . D. Ionization Constants of Nitronic Acids and Nitroalkanes

m.NITRONICACIDS.

.

.

.

A. Preparation of Nitronic Acids B. Physical Properties of Nitronic Acids C. Reactions of Nitronic Acids . 1. .4ddition reactions of nitronic acids a. Nucleophilic addition . b. Electrophilic addition . 2. Oxidation and reduction reactions 3. Reactions of a-halonitronic acids 4. Reactions of ketonitronic acids .

.

.

.

.

. . .

. .

5 16 24

. .

. .

. .

.

IV. NITRONIC ACIDESTERS . A. Preparation of Nitronic Acid Esters . . 1. Acyclic nitronic acid esters . 2. Cyclic nitronic acid esters . . . B. Physical Properties of Nitronic Acid Esters . C. Reactions of Nitronic Acid Esters . . . I . Hydrolysis of nitronic esters . . . 2. Oxidation and reduction reactions of nitronic acid esters 3. 1,J-Dipolar addition reactions of nitronic acid esters .

I

.

. . .

.

V. NITRONIC ACIDDERIVATIVES OTHER THAN ESTERS . A. Nitronic Acid Salts . B. Nitronic Acid Anhydrides . . . C. Nitronic Acid Halides . . . D. Nitronic Acid Amides .

2 4 4

. .

.

.

. . .

.

.

. .

. . . . . .

. . . .

.

.

28 28 34 36 36 36 45 50 56 58 69 69 69 82 87 89 89 95 105 111 111

113 120 121

2

Arnold T. Nielsen

VI.

ANALYITCAL

METHODS FOR

NITRONIC

. .

ACIDS

VII. REFERENCES .

122 125

1. INTRODUCTION

T h e nitronic acids, or aci-nitro compounds, R1R2C;N02H, a re a n important group of organic acids. They may be characterized as rather unstable substances an d good oxidizing agents, as are their esters. Most are relatively weak acids ( pK,lc' 2-6) resembling carboxylic acids in acid strength. Th ey are somcwhat unique among organic acids of this strength in that their chemistry is closely linked with that of a stable tautomeric form, tlie parent nitroalkane. 'The nitro and aci forms share a common anion. This relationship, fundamental to nitronic acid chemistry, is illustrated with plienylnitromethane1.2~3.T h e equilibria of equation ( 1) illustrate the phenomenon of aci-nitro tautomerism. OH

0-

R.p. looo (8 mrn) Phenylnitromethane Nitro compound

'0 Phenylmct1i;rnrnirronnte Sitronate anion

M.P. a 4 O

0

Phcnylmrthanenitronic acid Nitronic acid (miform)

T h e nomenclature of nitronic acids lias often been a matter of di~cussion4.~. T h e term nitronic acid (nifronsiilue) was introduced by Bamberger,. However, use of the prefix nci before the nitro compound name, a concept introdLiced by Hantzsch a few years later', achieved much wider use for many years. T h c general term nci was taken to mean the tautomeric, more acidic form of a pseudo acid. A pseudo acid is one whose proton is rcmo\.ed slowly'; a nitroalkane is and sometimes incorrectly pseudo, a pseudo acid8. T h e prefix ZJO', before the nitro compound name to indicate the nitronic acid form were widely employed for many years (isonitro listings are found in Chemical Abstracls through 1916). T h e nitronic acid naming sj-stem is now more widely acceptcd"lO. As pointed out originally by Bamberger,, and later by H a s 5 , it follows more closely the systematic naming of other organic acids a n d derivatives. I t also clearly recognizes the identity of these substances as genuine organic acids. The naming of dcri\.ntives such as salts, esters, and anhydrides follows systematically. 'The nci-nitro term

I . Nitronic Acids and Esters

3

employed only as a prefixl1*l2does not readily adapt itself to naming these derivatives. The nitronic acid function is = N 0 2 H ; as a suffix it is called nitronic acid. If a prefix is required aci-nitro may be used11r12.For example, butane-2-nitronic acid = 2-aci-nitrobutane. However, the prefix nomenclature should be avoided with nitronic acids, as it is with carboxylic acids. I t is suggested that the two possible types of nitronic acids, RCH=NO,H and R1R2CH=N02H, derived from primary and secondary nitroalkanes, be designated primary and secondary nitronic acids, respectively. Some examples of nitronic acid nomenclature follow. CH,CH=SO,H (CH,I,C~- NO,H rr-C3H,CH=S0,-Naf C,H,CH-SO,CH,

0

N0,Et

Ethanenitronic acid ( p ~ i m a r y ) Propane-2-nitronic acid (secondury) Sodium butane-1-nitronate Methyl phenylmethanenitronate Ethyl cyclohexanenitronate

CH,CH---NOCOCH,

'4cetic ethanenitronic anhydride

CH,-- ~SCI

hlethanenitronyl chloride

1 0

1

0

The first preparation of a nitronic acid was apparently made by Konowalow ( 1893)l 3 who isolated diphenylmethanenitronic acid, m p 90", and described it as a very unstable substance, decomposing at room temperature. The phenomenon of aci-nitro tautomerism in solution was discovered by Holleman (1895)14, who observed conductometrically the isomerization of 3-nitrophenylmethanenitronic acid into the nitro form. Hantzsch (1896)' was first to preparc both forms of a single nitro compound (phenylnitromethane and phenylniethanenitronic acid) and to recognize their tautomeric relationship. The first preparation of a nitronic ester appears to be that of Nef ( 1894)15, who synthesized, isolated, and recognized the unstable substance H,NCOC(CN) -=NO,C,H,. The question of nitronic acid structure was incompletely resolved and a subject of some debate and discussion for nearly 50 years after the disco\.ery of these substances. The now accepted structure 1 was originally proposed by Nef15 and employed by Bamberger'j. An alternate oxazirane structure (2) was proposed by Hantzsch'.

Arnold T. Nielsen

4

Reports that certain nitronate salts possess optical R'

R'

OH

(1)

(2)

supporting structure 2, were later shown to be in error18-zo.Nitronate salts prepared from optically active nitroalkanes are, in fact, optically inactive19. The strong T - T* ultraviolet absorption of nitronic acids, esters, and salts supports structure 1. Oxaziranes do not exhibit strong ultraviolet absorptionz1. Unsuccessful attempts have been made to prepare substances having structure 3, with substituents directly attached to nitrogenzz. OH

R'

"/

/ \

Rz

0

(3)

Cis-trans isomerism might be observed, a t least in the solid state, with unsymmetrically substituted nitronic acids, analogous to the yn and anti forms of oximes. This type of isomerism has been demonstrated for nitronic estersz3, nitronesz4, and oximesz5*zs,but not for nitronic acids. I t is possible that the rather stable unsymmetrical nitronic acids of wide melting range described by Hodgez7 are mixtures of cis and trans isomers. I n solution in protic solvents such isomers would, of course, lose their identity rather rapidly. II. ACI-NITRO TAUTOMERISM A. Introduction

Study of the phenomenon of aci-nitro tautomerism has been, and remains, important to the development of acid-base catalysis and proton-transfer theory. The process in neutral or basic medium consists principally of equilibria involving nitronic acid (aci form), nitroalkane, and a common nitronate anion (equations 2, 3). R' R +

OH

/ \ C=N / I

0 R2 Nitronic acid (aci)

R' k, k-1

\

C=I';'

/

R2

0-

A'

c;.

Nitronate

0

+ BHf

(2)

5

1 . Nitronic Acids and Esters

R' BH+

+

0-

R'

.C= 0 Nitronate

(3) Nitro

The acid-base equilibria of these equations define, to a close approximation, the ionization constants of nitronic acids (K,Aci = kl/kk1) and nitroalkanes (Kzitro = k,/k-,) where B is a solvent molecule (water, ethanol). Tautomerization involving ketonitronic acids is discussed in section III.C.4. Many kinetic studies of aci-nitro tautomerism, employing diverse methods, have been made. The earliest s t ~ d i e s ' ~ . which ~ ~ . ~ ~em, ployed conductivity measurements, made use of the much greater conductivity of the aci form, due to its greater dissociation into nitronate anion. Other methods have taken advantage of various properties of the aci form not observed in the nitro form, such as: rapid reaction with bromine ( t i t r a t i ~ n ) ~ ~failure - ~ ' , to be reduced polarographically3a-4p,and strong ultraviolet a b s o r p t i ~ n ~ These -~~. studies have included rate measurements of forward and reverse processes. I n retrospect, an interesting aspect of many rate studies was the failure, even until recent times, to recognize the hybrid structure of the nitronate anion intermediate29*30.38. Confusion exists in many earlier papers relating to nitronate anions having different 'structures' (with negative charge on carbon or oxygenm, or possessing optical activity1*), and giving validity to these structures in kinetic and mechanistic expression^^^. Present theory allows only one structure for the mesomeric nitronate anion, with negative charge delocalized principally on oxygen.

B. Tautomerization of Nitronic Acids t o Nitroalkanes The tautomerization of a nitronic acid to its parent nitroalkane (equations 2 and 3) proceeds essentially to completion for most simple nitroalkanes because of the relatively weaker acidity of a nitroalkane compared to its corresponding nitronic acid (aci form). T h e kinetics of tautomerization of the aci to the nitro form has been studied extensively, principally in water solvent. Early conductometric studies of Holleman14*54and Hant~sch32.3~ showed the process to be very rapid. Proton removal from nitronic acid oxygen (k,) has been measured l/mole-sec in for phenylmethanenitronic acid (k, = 4.14 x

6

Arnold T. Nielsen

99.5% water, 0.5% ethanol at 25"). From the ionization constant in water, K;t'c2= 1.3 x the reverse process, protonation = 3.2 x on oxygen, may be calculated to be much faster (k1 lO-'l/mole-sec). Many more measurements have been made of the overall rate of tautomerization of the nitronic acid to the nitro form (protonation on carbon). One may assume a steady-state expression and define this rate as K;,Ic' k-, since k k , is slow compared to kp1. Table 1 summarizes the available rate data. From the K,IC' values the rate of protonation on carbon, kk.,, may be calculated. T h e mechanism of the tautomerization process expressed in equations (2) and (3) requires that C-protonation occurs on the intermediate nitronate anion, not on the nitronic acid or some other species. In agreement with this postulate is the fact that the tautomerization ratc is accelerated in slightly basic solution, inhibited in acid s ~ l u t i o n " " ~Strong ~. nitronic acids which are highly ionized, such as bromomethanenitronic, tautomerize extremely r a ~ i d l y ~ , . ~ ~ . Highly hindered acids of the type R,CC(C,H,) =NO,H do not tautomerize at a measurable rate in acid solution, but require a basic catalyst to increase the concentration of nitronate ion, thus permitting tautomerization to occur readily65. Tautomerization does occur in acid solution44, but strong acid suppresses ionization and usually favors other reactions such as the Nef. Armand4? found acids XCH =NO,H, X,C =NO ,H, and CH,CX=NO,H ( X = C1, Br) to tautomerize rapidly and cornpletely without undergoing Nef reaction, even at low pH. O n the other hand, with d-2-nitrooctane acid-catalyzed Nef reaction (in N hydrochloric acid at 100') to form 2-octanone occurred more rapidly than tautomerization since it was observed that the recovered unreacted nitro compound retained all its optical activity50. A different mechanism involving direct proton transfer to carbon from a nitronic acid intermediate (rather than a nitronate anion) is involved in the much-studied dark reaction of tautomerization of compounds such as arylmethanenitronic acids to the nitro compound (e.g. 5 + 4)66-72(equation 4). Nitronic acids identical with those formed photochemically can also be formed by acidification of the alkali metal salts?,. The presence of a nitro group ortho of the methylThe ene group is required for the photochromic tran~formation~*-'~. ~ , hydropyridyl group in 4 may be replaced by ~ h e n y l ?a~l,k ~ l ?or gen71. T h e reaction is not limited to solutions, but occurs also in the solid state where it was first o b ~ e r v e d ~ ~ ~ ' / ~ ~ ~ ~ . 34*39t55,

1 . Nitronic Acids and Esters

7

-

(4)

~ i N~ : H 2 + ~ 0 2

O t N

-xi-( Q - c H PHO--S No!? j. 0

II

0

( 5 ) Deep blue

(4) 1'.11t yellow

540 m p

T h e direct intramolecular proton transfer mechanism involving a nitronic acid is supported by several facts, in addition to the requirement of a n ortho nitro group. T h e dark reaction rate [Aci (5) Nitro (4)] is accelerated in acid solutionB1. I t is also faster in a n aprotic solvent such as isooctane than in a protic solvent (ethanol) by a factor of ca lo4 6 6 . 'The rate is strongly accelerated by electronreleasing groups; replacing NO, by NH, in 5 increases the rate ca A large negative entropy (-45-50 eu) supports a rigid transition state'5.H2.T h e intramolecular nature of the process was demonstrated in a very simple system. Deuterium is incorporated into o-nitrotoluene (6)-but not p-nitrotoluene under the same conditions-when irradiated in deuterium o ~ i d e - d i o x a n e " ~ ~ ~ - ~ ~ . Ionization of the nitronic acid ( 7 ) provides a facile deuterium exchange mechanism (equation 5). ---f

(6)

(7)

The effect of structure on the overall rate of tautomerization of nitronic acids to the nitro form (rate = K t c l kk2) is determined by the two factors in this expression-the ionization constant of the nitronic acid, K;l"l, and the rate of C-protonation of the anion (k-,). T h e constant kk, may be evaluated from the above rate expression if K;:c' is known, or, if K,Fitroand the uncatalyzed rate of proton removal from the nitroalkane (k,) are known, k-, may be calculated from the equilibrium expression K:itor = k , / k - , . T h e available data are summarized in Table 1. Structural factors which affect KiLCt and k - , are germane to the general problem of anion stability. Inductive effects may be compared by examining those nitronic acids not exhibiting large resonance or other anion-stabilizing

CH3(CH2),C(CH3)=N0,H 2-BrC,H4CH=IS0,H 3-BrC,H4CH=N02H 4-BrC6H4CH-N0,H 2-CIC,H,CH=NO,H 3-CIC,H4CH=N0,H 4-ClC,H4CH=N02H 2-O2NC,H,CH=NO2H 3-02SC,H,CH=N0,H 4-0,NC,H4CH=K0,H C6H,CH=N0,H

5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11 . 12. 13. 14. 15.

2.

1.

3. 4.

Nitronic acid

02NCH= NO,H CH2=N02H CH3CH=N02H CH3CH2CH=N0,H

NO.

EtOH, 85O; EtOH, 509, EtOH,500,; EtOH, 500,b EtOH, 50% EtOH, 509; EtOH, 50% EtOH,507; EtOH,50°6 EtOH,50:, EtOH,50:& H2O H,O

25 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 25

1.3

-

-

-

(0.05)b -

I .86 3.25 4.4 4.6"

140 HZO 5.6 H2O 0.40 H2O EtOH, 857, 0.25"

X

25 25 25 25

Kf' pKtcl

Solvent aqueous

K f i = k,/k-,

R'

lo4

("C)

Temp.

R'

1.9 x 4.1 x 9.0 x 4.5 x 102 10%

105 104

(I/mole-min)

k-2

R'

0.0031 0.042 0.028 0.018 0.032 0.025 0.014 (0.15)b 0.092 0.11 0.0056 0.0050 (0.125)b

2600 23 0.036 0.076

(I/mole-min)

k-, 5.28 4.6 1 2.95 3.65"

tip k-,

1%

TABLE I . Rates of tautornerization of nitronic acids to nitroalkanes.

-0.51 0.62 0.45 0.25 0.50 0.40 0.15 1.18 0.96 1.04 -0.25 -0.30

5.42 3.36 0.55 0.88

+2

log

ti:" k-, 32, 56 29-32, 56 32, 56, 57 36, 42, 52, 58-60 50, 52 61 61 61 61 61 61,62 61,63 61,63 61,63 61,63 34,36, 39, 53, 55, 64

Ref.

\

\

Data not corrected for statistical factor.

1 .O

0.22

32 2 1.6 1.4 2.8

EtOH, 85%

EtOH, 85%

2.5

0.5

EtOH, 850,; 112 EtOH, 850,, 5.0 EtOH, 850,k 3.5 EtOH, 85qb 2.8 EtOH, 85% 7.1

EtOH, 85q/,

EtOH, 85%

EtOH,85% EtOH,850,/, EtOH, 85% EtOH, 850;, EtOH, 850;

* Values in parentheses are estimated; cf. reference 56.

C

25

Data in water (reference 42).

CH,0CH&H20CH3

1

HO2N=C(CH,),C=NO2HC

a

29.

I

CH,OH CH,OH

I

25

~H~OH~H,OH H0,N=C(CH,)3C=N0,Hc

25

25

28.

22.

2 1.

25 25 25 25 25

I

25 25 25 25 25

23. 24. 25. 26. 27.

I

O,NCH,CH,CH=NO,H O,NCH,(CH,),CH=NO,H O,NCH,(CH,),CH=NO,H 0,NCH,(CH,),CH=N02H 0,NCH(CH2),C=K0,H

CH,OH CH,OH O,NCH(CH,),C=NO,H I I CH,OH CH,OH O,NCH(CH,),~NO,H I I CH,OCH,CH,OCH, HO2N=CHCH,CN=NO2HC HO,N=CH(CH,),CH=NO,HC H0,N=CH(CH,)3CH=N0,HC HO2N=CH(CH,),CH=NO,HC HO2N=C I (CH,),~NOzHc

16. 17. 18. 19. 20.

3.60

4.30

1.95 3.30 3.46 3.55 3.15

4.00

4.66

2.49 3.70 3.80 3.85 3.55

3.11 3.28 3.46 3.02 3.55

x lo3 x lo3 X lo3 x lo3 x 103

I 1.3 x 103

9.4 x 103

4.06

3.97

3.22

1.64 x lo3 1.28 1.86 2.91 1.04 3.56

3.47

2.23 2.66 3.11 3.06 2.20

2.95 x 103

1.7 x 10, 4.6 x lo2 1.28 x 103 1.14 x lo3 1.6 x 10,

2.82

0.47

14.5 0.93 1.02 0.29 2.53

0.164

0.065

0.55 0.093 0.204 0.159 0.044

2.45

1.67

3.16 1.97 2.01 1.46 2.40

1.21

0.8 1

1.74 0.97 1.31 1.20 0.64

52

52

52 52 52 52 52

52

52

52 52 52 52 52

W

Arnold T. Nielsen

10

effects. Of these, the strongest acids tautomerize at the fastest rate as shown in Figure 1. 'I'he acids which tautomerize at the fastest ) shown in rate also have the fastest C-protonation rate ( k 2 as

-I 0 1

2

3 PK

Aci

0

4

5

6

FIGURE I . Plot of logarithm of overall rate of tautomerization of nitronic acids to nitroalkanes x 102 (2 + log K t c l k 2 )vs. pK:Ci; data at 2.5' in Table I . Data for bisnitronic acids have been corrected for statistical factor.

Figure 2. H a n t z ~ c hreported ~~ bromomethanenitronic and nitromethanenitronic acids to tautomerize at rates much too rapid to measure compared to methanenitronic, the weaker acid. Armand4' observed only instantaneous tautomerization, even at low pH (no Nef reaction), with the strong acids X,C=N02H, X C H = N 0 2 H and CH,CX=NO,H ( X = C1, Br). rn-Nitrophenylmethanenitronic acid tautomerizes to the nitro form ca 20 times faster than the weaker phenylmethanenitronic acid.

I . Nitronic Acids and Esters

I

2

3

4

5

6

Logarithm C-protonotton r o t e (log k - ? )

FIGURE 2. Plot of logarithm of overall rate of tautomerization of nitronic acids to nitroalkanes x lo2 (2 + log K f C i k--2) vs. logarithm of C-protonation rate (log kP2;) data at 25' in Table 1.

Inductive effects exhibit predictable behavior in relation to ionization constants, which affect tautomerization rates. Electronwithdrawing groups such as halogen and nitro increase K f c i (see Table 5 in section II.D), and tautomerization rate. Electron-releasing groups such as methyl decrease K f c l and tautomerization rate. For example, ethanenitronic acid tautomerizes ca 1O3 times more slowly than the stronger methanenitronic acid; a-phenylpropanenitronic acid tautomerizes more slowly than a-phenylethanenitronic acide3. O n the other hand, the increase in C-protonation rate caused by substitution of electronegative groups on the nitronate carbon (Figure 2) is opposite to what one might expect. An electronwithdrawing group lowers electron density at the nitronate carbon and should slow C-protonation. One possible explanation may be

12

Arnold T. Nielsen

the presence of a polar, negative field very close to the nitronate carbon ; thus protons are readily attracted to the site. However, when the electronegative group is moved away from the nitronate carbon, as in the series of w-nitronalkanenitronic acids O,N(CH,),CH=NO,H, one observes expected behavior5*. The overall tautomerization rate decreases with increasing chain length; K f c ' decreases also, and the C-protonation rate increases slightly (Table 1). Slow tautomerization of nitronate anions to the nitro form is observed for those anions having ground state energies very much lower than the parent nitro compound. For example, certain resonance-stabilized nitronate anions may show this property. T h e and indene- 1-nitronic nitro forms of fluorene-9-nitronic acid ( 8)a4.as acid (9)86can be prepared only in aprotic solvents85". Fluorene9-nitronic acid (8) is very stableE4. 2,4-Cyclopentadiene- 1-nitronic acid is very unstableas". Its sodium salt on acidification, produces

(8)

(9)

a black polymer and 1-nitro- 1,3-cyclopentadieneaE". Phenylmethanenitronic and methanenitronic acids are of comparable acid strength (pK$'* 3.9 and 3.25, respectively), but phenylmethanenitronic acid tautomerizes approximately 100 times more slowly (Table 1). Resonance-stabilized nitronic acids which tautomerize slowly do so principally because the C-protonation rate is relatively slow. There is a rather large activation energy barrier between the anion and the nitro form. Resonance stabilization of a nitronate anion often increases acid strength which may sometimes actually account for a slight enhancement of overall tautomerization rate. For example, a 20 % increase in tautomerization rate is observed for 4-nitrophenylmethanenitronic acid relative to the 3-nitro isomers1; the 4-brOmO and 4-chloro isomers tautomerize more slowly than their corresponding meta isomerss1. However, the most usual consequence of significant nitronate anion stabilization relative to the nitro form appears to be a decrease, rather than a n increase, in overall tautomerization rate. Stabilization of nitronate anions by hydrogen bonding also results in an increase in K t c i and a decrease in C-protonation rate. T h e

13

I . Nitronic Acids and Esters

methylol derivative 10 is a somewhat stronger acid than the corresponding methyl ether (ll)? But, the overall tautomerization rate (K,Acik-,) of the hydrogen-bonded acid (10) is about 4 times slower, despite the greater acidity. This is due to the slower C-protonation

O,NCHCH,CH,C

I

//

I

N

CH,

CH,

OH

‘ 0 ’

I

/

0

\.o

H

ci

ON,CHCH,CH,C-N

A‘ *

I kb CH, I

I CHZ I

OCH,

0

OCH,

(11)

(10)

pK/

0

O

3.55

k - , = 1.6 x 10-2 min-1

p K t C i 4.00 k-, = 16.4 x lo-* rnin-l

rate (10 times slower). A similar effect is observed with the butane1,4-bisnitronic acid derivatives of 10 and 11 (data in Table 1). The failure of certain hydroxynitronic acids (including 10) to undergo a Nef reaction may be caused by their hydrogen-bonded, stabilized nitronate anions (see discussion in section 1II.C. 1.a). Rapid tautomerization of nitronate anions to the nitro form is observed with anions which do not differ much in ground state energy from the parent nitro compound. The nitronic acid forms are extremely unstable and are rarely isolated. Conjugated anionsderived from conjugated nitroolefins, nitrodienes, and nitro aromatic compounds protonate rapidly. C-protonation usually occurs most rapidly at the terminal position of these nitronate anions and often favors the conjugated nitroolefin product under kinetic control. For example, anion 12 rapidly protonates at the terminal 3-position to yield 1-nitrocyclohexene (13) exclusively (equation 6) apparently without intervention of non-conjugated 3-nitrocyclohexenesB; this protonation is very rapid and occurs a t about the same rate as that ~*~~. nitronate for propane- 1-nitronate to 1- n i t r o p r ~ p a n e ~Conjugated anion 14 protonates at the terminal 5-position to yield only nitroolefin 1558(equation 7).

Arnold T. Nielsen

14

CH,=CHCH=CHC=NO,-

H+

CH,CH=CHCH=CNO,

(7)

I

I

CH3

CH3

(14)

(‘5)

Protonation of nitronates derived from aromatic nitro compounds occurs very rapidly, also at a terminal position (equation 8).

Protonation can occur under kinetic control to yield some of the unconjugated nitroolefin, as in the protonation of nitronate anion 16;a 1 : 1 mixture of olefins 17 and 18 is produced’O (equation 9). CH,=C(CH,)CH=NO,(16)

Hf

__f

CH,=C(CH,)CHZNO, (17)

+ (CH,)zC=CHNO, (18)

(9)

The equilibrium composition of nitroolefins is a matter of interest As with olefinic ketones and and has received some other unsaturated calbonyl compounds the a,b-unsaturated isomer is usually favored, and the position of equilibrium is affected by structure and solvents7. Nitrobenzenes and olefins such as 13 and 15 are favored. Thermodynamically, conjugated isomer 18 is favored over 17 by 4:110-87; but, olefin CH,CH=C(CH,)NO, is favored 100 % over CH,=CHCH(CH,)NO, s7. Exceptional behavior is exhibited by certain olefins substituted with a nitromethyl group, CH,NO, (note 17, above). The B,yisomer is often favored at equilibrium as, for example, with olefins 1910,88, 20s8-90, and 219’. The product composition of nitroolefins

(19)

(20)

(21)

derived from the nitronate anions of 19, 20, and 21 under kinetic control is not known. Slow tautomerization is observed with certain nitronic acids highly substituted about the nitronate carbon. Quantitative data are limited. Octane-2-nitronic acid tautomerizes 25 times more slowly than propane-l-nitronic acid52. Nitronic acids such as 2266 tautomerize much more slowly than phenylmethanenitronic acid’.

I . Nitronic Acids and Esters

15

These results indicate that a slow rate of C-protonation of the

(22)

nitronate anion is believed to be a factor, a result of poor solvation about the nitronate carbon. The stereochemistry of aci-nitro tautomerism has been studied in a few systems. I n simple monocyclic nitronate anions with vicinal substituents one observes kinetic preference for protonation from the least hindered side; this result leads to the least stable product (steric approach control). Protonation of 2-phenylcyclohexanenitronate ion (23) leads to 98 % cis-2-phenyl- 1 -nitrocyclohexane

(24) cis

(25) trans

(24, axial nitro); equilibration with alkali leads to 9 9 % of the trans (equatorial nitro) isomer (25)92 (equation 10). Similar results are

found in certain steroids (kinetic preference for axial n i t r ~ ) ~ ~ . ~ ~ . (A controversy exists relating to the configuration of 23-whether the phenyl group is axial or equatorial in the protonation transition state92~e6~Bs.) I n cyclohexane systems, in the absence of vicinal substituents, there is a kineticg2' as well as equilibrium preference For example, for equatorial nitro (ca 80-90 %) over axia193~94*B7-104. 4-t-butylcyclohexanenitronate protonates under kinetic control to yield 76 % trans-4-t-butylnitrocyclohexane (equatorial nitro)B2'. Equilibration of 1,3- and 1,4-dinitrocyclohexanes in ethanolic sodium bicarbonate leads to the diequatorial isomers (ca 80-90 %)lo3. I n the rigid bicyclic system 26, protonation with dilute acetic acid occurs with 84--97% kinetic preference for the most stable, trans product (27)106*'os (equation 11). Proton approach is cis to the vicinal R group (product development control). I n this more rigid

Arnold T. Nielsen

16

system, eclipsing of incipient nitro and neighboring R group results in a higher energy transition state than in the more flexible cyclohexane ring system. 0 \

(26)

R = CH,, C,H,

(27) trans

C. Proton Removal from Nitroalkanes

Removal of a proton from a nitroalkane produces a nitronate anion (reverse of equation 3) (equation 12). This reaction occurs in the reverse of aci-nitro tautomerism and has been studied extensively; it proceeds at a convenient rate at ordinary temperatures

and is easily followed for kinetic measurements. The reaction of proton removal, as well as protonation of nitronate anions, is subject to general acid-base ~ a t a l y s i s ~ Rate ~ ~ ~measurement ~ ~ - ~ ~ ~ . in various buffer solutions of different bases gives good Bronsted plots (Figure 3)40*10B*111*111*. However, dimethyl and trimethylamine show poor correlation of amine base strength with neutralization rates of nitroethane112; the discrepancy has been attributed to steric factorslll”.ll?

T h e rates of uncatalyzed proton removal from various nitroalkanes determined in water solvent are summarized in Table 2. Also included are rates of reprotonation (C-protonation) and ionization constants (KFitro).As noted by Bell (reference 107, p. 160) a n expected linear relationship is observed between acid strength of the nitroalkane and rate of proton removal (Figure 4). T h e nitroalkanes of greatest acidity ionize most rapidly. T h e energy of activation for proton removal with water as a base is ca. 20-23 k c a l / m ~ l e ~A~ *relatively ~ ~ ~ . large negative entropy of activation is observed ( 19-24 eu for nitro alkane^^**'^*^^*^'^^^^^> * For other bases (amines, hydroxide, and acetate ion) the energy of activation is less (12-16 kcal/mole) and the entropy of activation

-

17

1 , Nitronic Acids and Esters

on-

I

I

-1 0

-5

0

1

5

FIGURE 3. Dissociation and recombination rates of the nitro-form of I-nitropropane as a function of the dissociation constant of the acting acid or of the acid conjugated with the acting base: 0 recombination of nitro-form, 0 dissociation of the nitro-form. [Reproduced, by permission, from ref. 40.1

more positive (-7-16 eu)92a*111*112*120. These data agree with a slow proton removal process requiring a large amount of solvent reorganization in the transition statelZ1. Base-catalyzed proton removal from nitroalkanes is an important reaction (equation 13). In kinetic studies solutions of sodium hydroxide in water, aqueous dioxane or aqueous ethanol have been fre-

+

R ~ R ~ C H N O , OH-

t

SI

R~R~C=NO,- + H,O

(13)

quently employed. Reaction rate data are summarized in Table 3. Hantzsch3, made the first studies with nitroethane employing a conductometric method. June1137*130-132, and later Pedersen133, made the first thorough kinetic investigations of proton removal from nitroalkanes employing acetate catalyst and bromine titration of the nitronate anion formed. They demonstrated that the bromine and chlorine reaction rates are identical, that the rate-limiting step is proton removal, and that the reaction is first order in nitro compound and base. Pearson and Dillon showed bromine and iodination rates to be identicals7. Deuterium substitution in nitroalkanes results in a slower reaction rate; for hydroxide ion an isotope effect of 7.4-10.3 is observedlll*laO.

2/ k - 2 )

6.1 x 10-11 3.2 x 10-9 1.03 x I O - ~ (IO-lOp (lO-'op 5 x 10-9 2.7 x 10-4 1.3 x 10-7 2.3 x 10-5 1.6 x

K:ilro(k

R2

(10) 8.3 3.57 6.9 4.64 6.8

(10.3jb

10.21 8.5 8.98

pK;"O '

k-2

/ k-2

RZ

4.1 x 104 9.0 x 102 4.5 x 103 1.0 x 103 (6 x lo2) 1.6 x 105 1.9 x 105 2.6 x 102 8.0 x 10, 1.9 x 104 (G x 8 x 50 3.4 x 10-5 2.2 3 x 10-3

(10-7)

2.5 x 2.9 x 4.7 x 10-6

k2

(I/mole-min)

C=SO,+BH+

/

\

(I/mole-min)

C H S O , e

R'

Values in parentheses are estimated from available data in references cited. Corrected for statistical factor.

CH,NO, CH,CH,SO, CH3CH2CH,S0, 0,s (CH,),NO, CH,(CH2)5CH(CH,IS02 CH2BrS02 CH,(W?), CH,CHCISO, CH3COCH2S0, C,H5CH,S02

Nitroalkane

B+

k,

\

R'

TABLE 2. Rates of ionization of nitroalkanes in water at 25'.

-5.60 -5.54 -5.33 (-7) (-7.2) -3.1 1.7 -4.47 0.35 -2.5

log k,

28, 37, 56, 59, 113 32, 47, 56, 59, 60, 114 42, 60, 115 52, 116 50, 52, 116 37, 47, 56 32, 56, 117, 118 47, 56 56 34, 38, 39, 53, 55

Ref.

m

L

1. Nitronic Acids and Esters

19

T h e isotope effect varies with the pK, difference of the reacting s y s t e r n ~ ~ ~ ~ .T' ~h e~ -rate ' ~ ~of. neutralization of nitroalkanes is faster than in water. Hindrance in in D2OIz7and in aprotic solvents121,126 the attacking base (e.g. collidine) results in a relatively slower rate of proton remova1111~112~135-138. T h e effect of structure on rates of proton removal may be seen from the data in Tables 2 and 3, and Figure 4. It has been pointed out by Bordwe11g2"that the transition state for proton abstraction resembles the ground state rather than nitronate ion; inductive and steric effects are the important factors which affect rate of proton removal. Thus electron-withdrawing groups such as nitro enhance the rate32 .57 .I39 . Rates of neutralization of substituted phenylnitromethanes indicate a 50-fold rate acceleration by p-nitro (relative to hydrogen)'20. The substitution by electron-releasing p-methyl decreases the rate by one-half120. Bulky substituents about the acidic proton decrease the rate; 2-nitrobutane reacts ca. 25 times more

20

TABLE 3. Rates of neutralization of nitroalkanes by hydroxide ion. R'

\

CHNO,

/

R'

+ OH-

R2 No.

Nitroal kane

k

\

C=NO,-

/

+ H,O

R2 Temp. ("C)

Solvent

k,

(I/rnole-rnin)

Ref. ~~

I.

CH,NO,

1026 1600 173 237 236 312 336 354 35 37.5 39 195 29 16.4 19 2 19.2 I92 8.8 27.6

25 0

2.

CH,CH2N0,

25

0 3.

CHsCHZCH2NOZ (CH5),CHN02

25 0 25

5. 6. 7.

n-C,H,CH,NO, CH,CH,CH(CH,)NO, C,H,CH,CH(CH,)NO,

25 25 25 25

8.

i)so.)

4.

0

11.

0

KO,

NO,

111

123 28 122 111 124 110, 125, 126 123 127 28 110,

122

123 110, 122 111

28, 123 92a

122 122 92a

0

1:l Dioxane-HzO

No reaction

120

0

1:l Dioxane-HzO

165

120

0

1:1 Dioxane-HzO

39.8

120

28

78.3

120

7.62

120

25 25

1:l Dioxane-HzO 1:l Dioxane-HzO H,O CH,OHa

25

CH30Ha

ciJ 60 trans 12

92a

25

CH,OHa

cis 114 trans 0.56

92a

0

12. i-C,H,,

110, 122

21.4 19.8

111, 128 92a

(continued)

21

TABLE 3-confinued No.

Ni troalkane

6 c) c) 'SO,

14.

C,;H,-2-(:tl:,

15.

NO,

16.

NO,!

&NO2

17.

18.

Temp. ("C) 25

0

0

2

cis 60 trans 0.28

92a

20.6

120

0

1:l Dioxane-HzO

16.0

120

0

1:l Dioxane-HzO

endo 134 ex0 6.8

120

0

1:l Dioxane-HzO

endo 2 10

120

0

1:l Dioxane-HzO

cndo 50.6 ex0 47.2

120

1:l

37.9

120

21.4

120

0

cxo

7.86

Dioxane-HzO 1:l Dioxane-HZO

25

EtOH, 37%

(0.022)b.C

129

25

EtOH, 37%

0.O06gb

129

1:l Dioxane-HzO 1:l Dioxane-H20

2110

120

4560

120

1:l

92.8

120

51.9

120

3-OzNC,H4CHzNOz

0

25.

4-OzNC,H4CHzNOZ

0

26.

C,H,CH,NO,

0

4-CH3C,H,CH,NOz

Ref.

1:l Dioxane-HzO

24.

27.

CH30Ha

k3

(l/mole-min)

0

0 21.

Solvent

0

Dioxane-HZO 1:l

Dipxane-H,O

Sodium methoxide base.

' Stereochemistry not established.

Estimated from data in 27% EtOH reported in ref. 129.

Arnold T. Nielsen

22

slowly than nitroethanelZ2. 3-Ethyl-5-(3-metfioxyphenyl)-4-nitroc y c l ~ h e x e n e ' (Table ~~ 3, no. 23) is extremely unreactive compared to the less substituted parent 4-nitrocyclohexene itself (no. 21) ; stereochemistry, undetermined, is also important here.92". T h e rate of proton removal from C,-C, nitrocycloalkanes (in 1 : 1 dioxane-water at 0') has been studiedlZ0. Nitrocyclopropane does not react, whereas nitrocyclobutane reacts fastest; the reaction rate order is: C4 > C, > C, > C8 > C, >> C,. The order may be explained in terms of relative ring strain and steric repulsions of ring hydrogens in the reactant. The stereochemistry of proton removal has been examined for substituted nitrocycl~hexanes~~". T h e cis isomers react more rapidly than the trans. This effect is large in 2-arylnitrocyclohexanes in which the cis isomers react ca. 200 times faster. The rate enhancement effect has been ascribed in part to a relief of strain in the transition state proceeding from the axial nitro in the cis-isomersv2".There appears also to be a slight steric preference for abstraction of an equatorial hydrogen. T h e stereochemistry of proton removal has been examined for nitrobicycloheptanes, -heptenes, -octanes, and -octenes (Table 3, nos. 17-20)120. Proton removal is fastest for the endo isomers, where attack occurs at the least hindered exo hydrogen. The rate acceleration for the endo isomers relative to exo is greatest for the most rigid bicycloheptene compound (26-fold). I n the less rigid bicyclooctene series (no. 19) both isomers react at essentially the same rate which is nearly that observed with nitrobicyclooctane (no. 20). Proton removal from nitroalkanes is catalyzed by a ~ i d ~ ~ ~ . ~ , ~ This process resembles the acid-catalyzed enolization of aldehydes and ketones. The mechanism probably involves a protonated intermediate which is attacked by solvent or other base to produce a R'

\

H++

/

R'

RZ

H,O

+

/

R' '\

CHSO,H+

C=-NO,H

/

R2

R2

K'

\

/

R2

(14)

CHIUO,H+

/

RZ

R'

\

\

C H S O , e

C=NO,H

__f

Products

+ H,O+

slow (15)

23

1. Nitronic Acids and Esters

nitronic acid directly (equations 14,15)51.140a. For acid-catalyzed halogenations of nitroalkanes the rate is independent of the halogen employed, or halogen concentration, and is first order in nitro compound3'. The proton removal step (equation 15) is slow compared to the oxygen protonation equilibrium (equation 14) and reaction of nitronic acid to form products (equation 16). T h e proton removal step is quite slow compared to the base-catalyzed process. Its rate is ciose to the auto-dissociation rate in water (Table 2). Table 4 summarizes the rate data obtained in N hydrochloric acid solution. TABLE 4. Rates of acid-catalyzed reactions of nitro compounds in N hydrochloric acids1

Compound

Reaction

Nitromethane 2-Nitropropane 2,5-Dinitro-l,6-hexanediol(28) 2,.5-Dinitro- 1,g-hexanediol (28) 2-Nitrooctane Nitromethane Bromonitromethane Dibromonitromethane a

Temp. ("C)

Br~mination~~ Br~mination~~ Isomerizationsl Isomerizationsl Hydrolysisso Bromination3' Br~mination~~ Bromination3'

Pseudo first order rate constant min-' x 105 14 3.0 20a 200a 1.2b 0.9 240 12,000

60 60 60 100 100

35 35 35

Value corrected for reaction at one asymmetric center. Solvent "50%" ethanol, N hydrogen chloride.

Many reactions of nitroalkanes in acid solution require a n initial acid-catalyzed proton removal to produce a nitronic acid. Examples are formation of ~ a r b o ~ y l i ~ ~ ( ' ~and * ~ hydroxamic '~'-'~~ acids153 from primary nitroalkanes, and the acid-catalyzed Nef r e a c t i ~ n ~ The ~~'~~. epimerization of low-melting 2,5-dinitro-l,6-hexanediol(28) to the high-melting form (29) is acid-catalyzed. The bromination of 28 and 29 to yield 30 is acid-, as well as base-catalyzed (equation 17). HOCH,CHCH,CH,CHCH,OH

I

I

NO,

NO, (28)

H+

\

M.p. 112-1 13" Bra

HOCH,CHCH,CH,CHCH,OH

yNo2 I

I

NO2

(29)

Br2

Br

Br

NO,

NO,

I I HOCH,CCH,CH,CCH,OH 1 1 (30) M.P. 111-1 12"

M.P. 164-165"

24

Arnold T. Nielsen

Epimerization does not occur at a measurable rate in acid solution with the bisphenylurethane or bismethyl ether derivatives of 28; the corresponding derivatives of 29 are not formed under conditions whereby 28 -+29. The epimerization 28 -+ 29 does not occur at a measurable rate in pure water in the absence of added acid or basic catalysts. No formaldehyde is produced during the epimerization. A similar epimerization reaction is observed with the next higher The epimerization is believed homolog, 2,7-dinitr0-1,7-heptanediol~~. to be favored over the competing Nef reaction due to stabilization of the nitronate anion (e.g. 31) by hydrogen bonding which slows hydrolysis, and a relatively rapid C-protonation rates2.

D. Ionization Constants of Nitronic Acids and Nitroalkanes

The ionization constants of nitronic acids may be expressed as

where [Aci] = the concentration of the nitronic acid and [ A - ] is the concentration of nitronate a n i ~ n ~ 'Fewer , ~ ~ . values of K t C ihave been determined than K?ltro. A complication in measurement lies in tautomerization to the more weakly acidic nitro form; but, by extrapolation of measurements back to zero time this error may be eliminated. Methods of determination include conductivity measurementsZ8,p ~ l a r o g r a p h y and ~ ~ , potentiometric tit ration^^^. Known values of K!ci and K?ltro are summarized in Table 5. Most nitronic acids are much stronger acids than the parent nitroalkanes (usually pKdYitro- pKtci = 2-5). However, this ratio narrows as acidity increases as shown in Figure 5. For very strong acids having pK, 5 0, such as nitroform, H C ( N 0 , ) 3, pKfct pKpitro. Substitution affects acidity of nitronic acids in the manner observed in carboxylic acidslS2. There is evidence for intramolecular hydrogen bonding in 1,3propanebisnitronic acid (32) and 1,4-butanebisnitronic acid52. A large K ! / K i r ratio is observed, similar to the values found for ciscaronic and dipropylmalonic acids (33 and 34 respectively). For the

25

1. Nitronic Acids and Esters

TABLE 5. Ionization constants of nitronic acids and nitroalkanes in water at 25'. N i troal kane

PK,A cia

Ref.

pKtitr0'

A. Mononitroalkanes

CH,NO,

3.25

10.21

CH,CH,biO,

4.4

8.5

CH,CH,CH,NO, (CH,),CH%O, CH,(CH,),NO, CH,CH,CH (CH,) NO,

4.6 5.1 -

8.98 7.68 10 9.4

ONoz

6.35

C,H,CH,NO, CH,(CH,),CH(CH,)NO,

3.9 (5.3)b

47, 56, 59, 60, 113, 130, 132 28, 31, 47, 52, 56, 59, 60, 114, 130, 132 40, 59, 60, 115 47, 59, 60, 116 116 116

8.3

109, 128

6.8

34, 36, 38, 39, 53, 55, 64 50, 52, 116

(10)b

B. a,w-Dinitroalkanes

-

(O,N),CHCH,CH(NO,), I I1 I I1 I

O,N(CH,),SO, O,K(CH,),NO,

O,N(CH,),KOZ O,N (C H,) eKOz

I1

0,NCH (CH,),CHNO,

I I1 I

CH,OH CH,OH O,NCH(CH,),CHNO, CH,OH CH,OH 0,NCH (CH,),CHNO,

I

I

I

I

I

I

CH,OCH,CH,OCH,

( I .95)b 8.40 (3.30)b 8.30 3.46 7.57 3.55 4.80 (3.15)b

1 1 . 1 1 (20')

I1 4.96 (20')

115, 117

-

52

-

52

-

52

(l0)b

52

-

52

I1 9.17 I 4.30

-

52

I1 8.45 I (3.60)b

-

52

I1 8.35

C. I,l-Dinitroalkanes

-

3.47 3.80 7.70 (20') 0.06 0.17 (20') -6.23

144 144 118, 145 56, 115, 144, 146-148 144 (confinued)

Arnold T. Nielsen

26

Nitroalkane

pp4~ia a

PKPoa

Ref.

C. 1,l-Dinitroalkanes CH,(NO,), CH,CH (NO,)

, ,

CH,CH,CH (NO,) HOCH,CH,CH(NO,), CH,C(NO2)2CH,CH(NO.J, CH3(CH2)

ZCH

2

1.86

3.57

4.0

5.13

4.1

5.6 4.44 1.36 (20') 5.20 6.75 5.4 5.42 (20') 5.48 (20') 3.7 I

-

32, 56, 115, 117, 118, 145, 146, 148, 148a 113-1 15, 144, 146, 148a 148-150 114, 115, 148, 148a, 150 I56 115, 117 115, 148, 148a, 150 148a 150, 115, 148, 148a, 150, 151 115, 148a, 150, 151 115, 148a, 150, 151 I48a

D. a-Substituted Mononitroalkanes 5.99 118 CI,CHN02 12.4 149 F,CHNO, 10.14 I18 CIFCHNO, 8.2 (21') 47 BrCH,NO, 7.20 47, 118 CICH,NO, 9.1 149 CF,CHFNO, 7.4 149 CF,CH,NO, 7.3 (21') 47 CH3CHBrN02 6.8 (21') 47 CH,CHCINO, 3.50 118 H2NCOCHCIN0, 5.89 118 H,NCOCHFNO, 5.18 118 H,NCOCH,NO, 5.1 56 CH,COCH,NO, 4.16 118 C,H,O,CCHCINO, 6.28 118 C,H,O,CCHFNO, 5.75 56, 113, 118 C,H,O,CCH,NO, C,H,O,CCH(CH,)NO, 7.4 113, 116 C,H,0,CCH(C,H5)N02 7.6 116 C,H,O,CCH( i-C,H,)NO, 9.0 116 C6H5COCH,N0, 2.2 32 C,H,02CCH(n-C5H11)N0, 7.7 116 6.9 116 Average of values reported at 25', neglecting divergent values.

* Estimated values.

I . Nitronic Acids and Esters

27

longer chain 1,6-hexanebisnitronic acid K;f/Ki' = 17.7, indicating 0

II

y 2

/N,O HCI

HC

(p)H 0

\H

(CH&

0

II

(Pri,C(

I

I

00

00

00

( 33) 9.3 x 105

(32) K;,I/K;,II 2.9 x 106

\H

c-0 I

C-6'

\N/O'

c -0

(34)

2.8 x 105

no intramolecular hydrogen bonding in the mononitronate anion. The ionization constants of nitroalkanes may be expressed as where [Nitro] = the concentration of the nitroalkane and [A-] is the concentration of nitronate anion. A complication lies in the fact that the nitronate anion is in equilibrium with the more strongly acidic nitronic acid. One observes an apparent ionization constant, Ktpp* defined as

K ~f e. iis known where [ h i ] = the concentration of nitric a ~ i d ~ O .If1 ~ Ktitro can be calculated from Ktpp.. For most nitroalkanes in solution the concentration of undissociated nitronic acid is very small and the [Aci] term may be neglected. Thus Ktpp. is very nearly equal to Kc;itro. Values of pK,Nifroare summarized in Table 5 ; most are determined conductometrically or spectrophotometrically, some by titration. Ionization constants of nitroalkanes are solvent dependent lS3. Mononitroalkanes are relatively strong pseudo acids, pK,Nifro= 7-10. They are stronger than most monocarbonyl compounds (acetone pK, = 2015'), but are comparable to 1,3-diketones (acetylacetone pK, = 9155).Nitromethane appears to be the weakest acid ( p K < y10.2). Electron-withdrawing groups such as halogen (Cl, Br) and nitro are inductively acid-~trengtheningl~~. However, alpha-fluorine substitution is decidedly acid-weakening. This unusual effect has been attributed to stablilizing no-bond resonance in the nitroalkane118. PK,Ni"O

CICHzNO, 7.20

CI,CHNO,

CIFCHNO,

5.99

10.14

Arnold T. Nielsen

28

Electron-releasing alkyl groups, it appears, can also be acidstrengthening when a-substitution occurs (on the carbon bearing the nitro group) in mononitroalkanes. Compare 1- and 2-nitropropane (35,36).Two factors may contribute to this effect which is P,:i'ro

CH,CH,CH,NO,

(CH,),CHNO,

(35) 8.98

(36) 7.68

associated with a relatively slower C-protonation rate of the nitronate ion derived from 36. One is a stabilization of the nitronate anion by hyperc~njugation'~'.Another may be a steric effect related to poor solvation about the nitronate carbon. O n the other hand, @-alkyl substitution is acid-weakening ( I-nitrobutane, pK,Fitro lo), the expected result of electron-releasing bulky alkyl substitution. I n 1,l-dinitroalkanes and a-nitroesters both a- and @-alkyl substitution are acid-weakening (this effect is also observed in the carboxylic a c i d P 2 ) . Dinitromethane ( pK:itro 3.57) is the strongest acid of the 1,l-dinitroalkane series. The 1,1-dinitro-n-alkanes (C,-C,) all have similar, but smaller, ionization constants (pK~"ro 5.2-5.7). An interesting compound is 1,1-dinitro-2-methylpropane (38).The weaker acidity of this more hindered 8-alkyl substituted compound is probably associated with a relatively slower rate of proton removal (compare the unbranched isomer 1,l-dinitrobutane 37). The a-alkyl-a-nitroester C,H,O,CCH(CH,)NO,, pKcitro7.4, CH,CH,CH,CH(NO,),

&Yo

(CH,),CHCH(NO,),

(37) 5.20

(W 6.75

is weaker than the unbranched homolog C,H,O,CCH,NO, pKiEJitro5.7556*113*116.11*. More rate data are needed to supplement the available pK,&measurements. A quantitative correlation of structure with pKFitro has been reported15'. 111. NITRONIC ACIDS

A. Preparation of Nitronic Acids

Several methods are available for preparation of nitronic acids. All depend on oxygen-protonation of a nitronate anion as the final step. Certainly the most convenient and frequently employed method is acidification of a nitronate salt (equation 18). The procedure often

1 . Nitronic Acids and Esters

29

involves preparation of a sodium or potassium salt by neutralization R '

\

/ R2

R' C=NO,-Na+

0-5O

+ HCI d

\

C=NO,H

/

+ NaCl

(18)

R2

of a nitroalkane with aqueous alkali at 0-25". Acidification of the salt usually proceeds best with an excess of a strong mineral acid, such as hydrochloric, keeping the temperature a t 0-5" '*13. A low temperature is required to minimize Nef and other decomposition reactions. Use of a weak acid (acetic or carbonic) is preferred for C-protonation T h e weak to regenerate a nitroalkane from its nitronate sa1t13-159.160. acid permits a slightly acidic buffered solution having a relatively high concentration of nitronate ion needed for C-protonation to the nitroalkane. An excess of a strong mineral acid results in a strongly acidic solution having a low concentration of nitronate ion which inhibits C-protonation to the nitroalkane. An interesting example of nitronic acid preparation is found in the acidification of a Meisenheimer-type salt161-168.Trinitrotoluene (39) reacts with potassium methoxide to form the thermodynamically stable potassium salt 40'61~1sg.Acidification of this salt with hydrogen chloride at -5" is reported to produce nitronic acid 41,

I

NO, (39)

NO; KC (40)

o

~

-CH,OH,

39~ (19)

NO,H (41)

described as a dark red solid which explodes on heating170 (equation 19). Many examples are known of reactions to form adducts like 40188.171-174. Usually upon acidification of these substances a nitroaromatic compound is produced immediately since the nitronic acid decomposes so rapidly (41 -+ 39)73'171-175.

~

30

Arnold T. Nielsen

Salts other than those of the alkali metals have been employed for preparing nitronic acids. Reaction of lead a-cyanophenylmethanenitronate with hydrogen sulfide produced the nitronic (equation 20). Ammonium salts of nitronic acids on standing (C H C=NO,-),Pb++

'1

a

FA

0 + H2S --% 2 C,H,C=NO,H + PbS

(20)

I

CN

CN

may evolve ammonia and produce a nitronic acid17' (equation 21). CH3

CH3

-% CHs*CH=NOZH

cH3@cH=No2-NH4t CH3

+

NH, (21)

CH3

Another important general method for preparation of nitronic acids involves addition of anions to nitroolefins. Alkyl and aryl Grignard reagents add to a-nitrostilbenes to form hindered nitronic acids in high yielda5 (equations 22 and 23). Addition of nitroform to CaHoMgBr CH3MgI

-

+ C,H,CH=C(CaH,)N02

+ (C&5)2C=C

(C,H,)NO,

Et 0

-&

Et,O

(C,H,)2CHC(C,H,)=N02H (90% 1

(C&,),C(CH,)C (CeHJ=NO,H

(22)

(23)

nitroolefins is a similar reaction and provides excellent yields of nitronic acids17a(equation 24). Hydration of nitroolefins may involve (NO,),CH

+ CH2=C(CH3)N02

__f

(N02),CCH2C(CH3)=N02H

(24)

(95%)

intermediate nitronate ion and nitronic acid formation, but retrograde Henry condensation or nitroalcohol formation is apparently favored a t e q ~ i l i b r i u m ~(equation ~ ~ - ' ~ ~25). ~ CH,CH=CHNO,

+ H20

__+

-

CH3CHOHCH=N02H

CH3CHOHCH2N02

+

CH3CH0

+ CH3N02

(25)

Oxidation of oximes appears to be a most useful route to nitronic acids. The method has not been fully developed, however. Oxidation of acetophenone and propiophenone oximes by Caro's acid (peroxymonosulfuric acid) leads to nitronic acids (not isolated) a t room t e m p e r a t ~ r e " ~(equation *'~ 26). O n warming, these nitronic acids rapidly tautomerize to the nitro forma3. The use of other oxidizing C,HsC(C2Hs)=NOH

+ H,S05

__f

C,HsC(C,H5)=N02H

+ H2S04

(26)

agents, including dinitrogen t e t r o ~ i d e ~ ~ * ~ manganese " ' * ~ ~ ~ , dioxide for in acetic acid'8s, peroxytrifluoroacetic acidla', and nitric

31

1. Nitronic Acids and Esters

conversion of oximes to nitroalkanes, probably proceeds through a nitronic acid intermediate. Action of powerful oxidizing agents (peroxytrifluoroacetic acid) on hindered oximes should yield nitronic acids directly. Photochemical conversion of nitroalkanes to nitronic acids is the subject of a recent patentlS5 (equation 27). The reaction has been hv

(27)

RCH,NO, v RCH=NO,H

studied extensively with a limited group of compounds, the pyridylnitrophenylmethanes; nitronic acids derived from these compounds are unstable and tautomerize very rapidly to the nitro form (see section II.B)7391s6.The scope of photochemical generation of nitronic acids has yet to be determined. Thermal generation of a nitronic acid intermediate 42 has been postulated in the conversion of an o-nitrobiphenyl into the phen(equation 28). anthridine 43187#188

q

NO2

0,

CH3

Iq

__*

N02H

C b C H 3 j CH2

(28)

(42)

CH3

(43) 32%

A nitronic ester has been converted into a nitronic acid. Potassium fluorene-9-nitronate and t-butyl bromide form t-butyl ester 44 in ethanol solution8*. Ester 44 decomposes on standing a t room temperature to form fluorene-9-nitronic acid (8) and butylene (equation 29). Application of this reaction to sodium phenylmethane-

25'

GGi? (44)

BNOzH +

(8)

nitronate, however, led to phenylnitromethane rather than the nitronic acid8'. Hydrolysis of nitronic esters under mild conditions

32

TABLE 6. Properties of nitronic acids.

M.p.

("C)

Nitronic acid

Half-life (approx.) a t 25'0

Ref.

50 liquid 91-91.5 liquid 70.5-71

few min few min 2-3 h few h 2-3 h

146, 190 32 I 78 191 178

119

few days

192

H 0 CH, (0,N)3CCH,C(n-C3H,)=NOzH (O,N)&CH,C( i-C3H7)=N0,H 2-BrCeH,CH=N0,H 4-BrC,H4CH=N0,H 4-CIC,H,CH=KO2H 4-02NC,H,CH=N0,H C,H,CH=NO,H C,H,O,CC(CN)=CHCH=NO,H (CH30,C) ,C=CHCH=NO,H (i-C3H7),C=NO,H 2-BrC,H,C(CN)=NO2H 4-BrCeH,C(CN)=N0,H C,H,C(CN)=NO,H

85-85.5 93-93.5 100 89-90 64 91 84 liquid liquid 69-70 51-52 64 39-40

2-3 h 2-3 h several h 12 h 2 days 1 day few days several h several h 1 day 1 week 1 day few h

C,H,C(CH,)-NO,H

45

few min

65-70

few h

178 178 193 33 62 32, 194 1 191 191 195 193 196 176, 197, 198 13, 83, 180 199

50

few h

86

few h few h few h few min few min few days

200 2 00 200 13, 159 13, 83 191

few days few h few h

197 177 13

(0,N) ,C=SO,H CH3CH=N02H (0,N) ,CCH,C(CH,)=NO,H (NC),C=CHCH=NO,H (O2N)3CCH,C(C,H5)=NO,H

eo2Nh NO,H

/N\

m

4-CH30C,H,CH=N0,H

\

NOpH Z-CH3C,H4C(CN)=N0,H 3-CH3C,H,C(CN)=N0,H 4-CH3C,H4C(CN)=N0,H 3,5- (CH3)2C,H3CH=N0,H C,H5C(C2H5)=N02H (C2H,0,C),C=CHCH=N0,H C,H5C(C0,C,H5)=N0,H 2,4,5-(CH,)3C,H,CH-N0,H C,,H,C(i-C,H,)=NO,H

-

-

63

-

b.p. 130140/0.2 mmb liquid 102-1 10 54

(conf inucd)

33

TABLE 6+ontinucd Nitronic acid

M.p. ("C)

74; 83

Half-life (approx.) at 250a

Ref.

-

few rnin

201,202

-

few h

200

-

few h

200

-

few h

177

-

few h

200

(CN ) = N O ~ H

-

few h

200

C ( CONH,)=N02H

155-156

several h

200

84-86

1 day

92

85-86

several days

203

132

several weeks 204

145-1 50 ; 132-135

several weeks 84, 85

90 101-118

few h > 6 months

~ C H I N 4 H 2,3,4,5-(CH3),C,HCH=NOzH C(CN)=NO?H

& =C

OD

aN0,, CGH,

-C=NOzH

I

(CH,),o L C H

z

Qp''

e NOZH

NOZH

(C6Hr),C=NO,H 2-ClC6H4(4-BrC6H,)CHC (CH,)=NO,H

33 27 (continued)

Arnold T. Niclscn

34

TABLE 6-conlinued Nitronic acid

4-CIC,H4(4-BrC6H4)CHC(CH3)=N02H

2-CIC,H4(4-IC,H4) CHC(CH,)=NO,H 2-CIC,H4(4-ClC,H4)CHC(CHJ=NO2H

M.p.

("C) 48-65

116-130

75-80 42-55 (C,H5),CHC(CH3)=NOzH 70-77 2-CIC,H4(4-CH3C,H4)CHC(CH3)=NOzH 89-94 4-CIC,H~[2,4-(CH~)~C,H~]CHC(CzH5)=NOzH 47-70 (2-CICoH~)zCHC(CH3)=NOzH

80-84 V a

C NOZH O C

G

H

Half-life (approx.) at 250a

4-20 h >6 months > 6 months 4-20 h 4-20 h 8 days

4-20 h

Ref.

27 27 21 27 27 27 27

several weeks 205

5

Approximate time for undiluted sample to liquefy or exhibit evident decomposition. of the sample is reported to decompose during the distillation.

'About 90%

may be expected to yield products other than nitronic acids (section IV.C.l). Thus, the conversion of nitronic esters to nitronic acids appears to be a reaction of limited scope and utility, particularly since most esters are prepared from nitronate salts. Fluorene-9-nitronic acid (8) may also be prepared by reduction of 9-bromo or 9-iodo-9-nitrofluorene with potassium iodidee4. This reaction should be considered unique, however, since reduction of other 1-bromo-1-nitroalkanes with mild reducing agents produces ni t r o a l k a n e ~ ' ~ ~ . Table 6 lists most of the known, isolable nitronic acids in order of molecular formula. Usually only solids are sufficiently stable to be isolated in pure form. Melting points and approximate half-lives are given where this information is available. The approximate halflife (measured at room temperature) is arbitrarily chosen as the time required for liquefaction or evident decomposition of a compound. Since no standardized procedure has been employed for this measurement, the times listed are necessarily very approximate. The information should prove useful, however, in correlating structure with stability. 0. Physical Properties of Nitronic Acids

Ionization constants of nitronic acids are summarized in Table 5, melting points in Table 6.

I . Nitronic Acids and Esters

35

T h e ultraviolet spectra of nitronic acids resemble closely the spectra of nitronate anions (salts) and nitronic esters206. A strong T - n* band ( F 10000) is found near 220-230 m p for simple aliphatic nitronic acids measured in ethanol or ~ a t e r ~ ~ eThe ~2. corresponding nitronate anions absorb at nearly the same wavelength (usually ca. 10 rnp higher, depending on structure) with ~~*~~~*~~~. approximately equal extinction c o e f f i ~ i e n t s ~ ~ *Absorption spectra of nitronate anions have been published Olefinic or aromatic ring conjugation produces the expected bathochromic shift in absorption maximum wave length [C,H,CH= N O 2 A"2"max 284 m p ( E 20000) ; C,H,CH=NO,-Na+ :::A 294 m p ( E 25000)]53*211-214. T h e nitronic acids produced by irradiation of pyridyl and phenylnitrophenylrnethanes are highly colored with in strong absorption bands near 580-700 m p (see section 11.B)74*75; this group of compounds the corresponding nitronate salts absorb at wave lengths ca. 10 m p lower (ethanol ~olvent)'~. The infrared spectra of nitronic acids are characterized by C==N absorption near 1620-1680 cm-' 150-178*206. This absorption is in the region of oxime C=N absorption, 1640-1684 crn-l 215. Conjugation shifts the absorption to slightly lower frequencies; fluorene-9nitronic acid absorbs at 1652 cm-l 211. Nitronic esters absorb intensely in the region 1610-1660 cm-' (C=N). Nitronate salts absorb at much lower frequencies, as one observes with carboxyiate salts215. Sodium alkanenitronate salts reveal a C=N band in the region 1587-1605 crn-' 216. The infrared absorption of nitronic acids in the OH stretching region resembles that of carboxyiic acids. A free OH stretching band is absent211.One observes the broad absorption band envelope in the region 2500-3000 cm-l characteristic of associated weak acids206*211. Few nrnr spectra of nitronic acids have been r e p ~ r t e d ~ ~ From ~-~~'. nrnr, infrared, and ultraviolet spectra measurements it was concluded that the imine 45a exists as the nitronic acid 4.52, rather than nitroolefin 45b, in methanol or deuteriochloroforrn; in the latter solvent a n AB quartet was observed at T 2.38, 3.27217.

a E

2

C H 2 NO,

(45s) M.p. 124-125°

@cNoHC:=

(45b)

cH NO, @COCH1 N=C H C H=NO2 H fH,OH

max

(45.c)

388 m p

(E

23691)

36

Arnold T. Nielsen

C. Reactions of Nitronic Acids

Nitronic acids are quite reactive. The C=N bond undergoes many addition reactions. Nitronic acids are also good oxidizing agents and are readily reduced to oximes. They participate in autooxidationreduction reactions. The reactions which are discussed in this section are principally those of nitronic acids and nitronate anions in acid solution. Reactions of nitronate salts, or of nitronate ions in basic solution, with a few exceptions, are not discussed. Formation of nitronic esters and anhydrides is described in following sections. 1. Addition reactions of nitronic acids

Two distinct patterns of addition are evident: ( a ) I n acid solution a protonated nitronic acid (46) adds nucleophiles such as halide and hydroxide ion ; simultaneously the nitronic group ultimately R'

R'

OH

(16)

NO

Nu- = OH-(H,O), CI-, Br-, I-

becomes nitroso in the product (equation 30). Alternatively, in strongly acidic solution a dehydration to a nitrile oxide may precede addition of water to form a hydroxamic acid. (6) Nitronate anions exist in acid solution, although they are present in much lower concentration than in basic solution. They undergo addition with electrophiles such as nitrosonium, and nitronium ions, halogens, and hypohalogen acids. The nitronate group becomes nitro in the product (equation 31). R'

\ /

R2

C=NO,-

+ E+

-

R'

NO,

'C'

R2/ E'

E+ = NO+, NO,+ ( N 2 0 4 ) ,C1+ (Cl,, HOCI), Br+ (Br,, HOBr), CH,O

a . Nucleophilic addition. Nucleophilic additions occur on a protonated nitronic acid. Addition of water to nitronic acids is one of the most important nucleophiiic addition reactions. I t is a useful route to aldehydes and ketones (Nef reaction), hydroxamic acids, and carboxylic acids.

1, Nitronic Acids and Esters

31

The Nef reaction15 is important synthetically. I t has been rev i e ~ e d 4 . 2 ~and 0 its mechanism ~ t u d i e d ~ The ~ ~ reaction ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ involves treatment of a nitronate salt or nitronic acid with aqueous acid; in effect, it is the acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of a nitronic acid. T h e mechanism may be expressed by the equations 32, 33, 34, and 35209.222-227. The details of the decomposition of the hydrated R' 0 R' OH R' OH n/ \o / \ r /

R2

C=N

\

\'

+Hf+

C=N

/

R2

OH

\

*-

OH

/c-N\

R2

(fast)

(321

OH

(46)

R' \

R2

/I

@/

__t

I\

R2 OH H OH

I \

(slow)

(33!

+ H,O + H+ t HNO

C=O

/

(34)

R2

R'

OH 9/

I\

C-N

(47)

R' \

(47)

\ C-N /I

OH Q/

R2 OH H OH

OH

R'

/I

OH

(46)

C-N

\

+ H20

/c=N\

R' \

R'

OH 4/

\

_ j

/I

C--N-0

Rz OH H OH

Rz OH

(47)

(48)

+ H,O + Hf

(35)

intermediate 47 are not completely understood. The formation of the blue color which frequently accompanies the Nef reaction may be The explained by formation of the hydroxynitroso compound 4fiZo9. initially formed nitrogenous product of the reaction is believed to be the unstable intermediate nitroxyl (HNO) which forms nitrous oxide (equation 36). 2 HNO

-

H,O

+ N,O

(36)

A direct acid-catalyzed Nef reaction is possible without starting with a nitronate salt or a nitronic acidso*51~141.228. 2-Octanone has been obtained directly from d-2-nitrooctane by refluxing with aqueous hydrochloric acid50. The recovered nitro compound retained all its optical activity indicating, in this example, that the Nef reaction was faster than tautomerization of the intermediate nitronic acid, formed by an acid-catalyzed process (equation 37),

Arnold T. Nielsen

38

R'

0

R'

R'

0

0

(49)

Studies have been made to determine optimum conditions for securing high yields of aldehydes and ketones in the Nef reaction46*47-'05*223. The reaction is p H dependent. A low p H (0.1-1) favors Nef reaction over tautomerization which occurs more readily at p H 3-5 (see Table 7)47. A very low pH (as with 85 % sulfuric acid) favors hydroxamic acid formation, possibly proceeding by a different mechanism222. The yields of aldehydes and ketones on Nef hydrolysis vary (0-100 %) and depend on the structure of the nitronic acid (Table 8), as well as on p H (Table 7). Tautomerization to the parent nitro compound is an important competing reaction, although other reactions can occur65~240. Simple, unsubstituted aliphatic nitronic acids readily undergo the Nef r e a c t i ~ n ~ ~However, * ' ~ ~ . branching near the nitronate carbon, which hinders attack, decreases yields221.229.231,232. Compounds of structure Ar,CCH(Ar)NO, fail to undergo the Nef reaction65. Factors which stabilize nitronate anions (and nitronic acids) inhibit the Nef reaction32. These include resonance stablization, presence of electron-withdrawing groups, and hydrogen bonding. p-Nitrophenylnitromethane222and 1,1,1,2,2,3,3-heptafluor0-5-nitropentane233 fail to undergo the Nef reaction. Nitrodesoxyinsitols fail to undergo the Nef and may be recovered unchanged; stabilization of the nitronate anion by hydrogen bonding 49 has been suggested to explain this result5I. Homoallylic resonance in the HO A

O

H

(49)

nitronic acid of 5-nitronorbornene (Table 8, no. 20) has been suggested as an explanation for failure of the Nef r e a ~ t i o n ~ ~ ~ . ~ " ; however, the nitro compound is not recoverede40. Ring strain in the transition state leading to a product having an exocyclic double bond is probably the explanation for failure of the

39

TABLE 7. Products of nitronic acid decomposition in water a t various pH. (0.1 M solutions of nitronic acid in buffer solutions at 2 A. Ethanenitronic acid

NOH 3.4 2.9 2.07 1.50 1.18 0.45

100

85 59 27 6 0

0 7 28 61 82 98

0 3 6 6 6 0

0 4 6 6 5 0

0 0 0 0 0 0

B. Propane-2-nitronic acid

NO

pH

(CH,),CHNO,

(CH,),CO

(CH,),C=NOH

/ (CH,),C \

NO,-

NO2

5.4 5 4.25 3.75 3.10 2.5 2.2 2 1.5 1.15 0.50

100 85 44 27 10 3 0 0 0

0 0

0 7-8 20 26 30 32 33 39 49 80 100

0 7-8 19 25 30 31 32 32 28

12 0

0 7-8 4 5 0 0 0 0

0 0 15 20 29 32 33 29 22 7 0

0 0 0

C. Cyclohexanenitronic acid

2

4.8 4.15 3.05 2.40 1.50 1

0.15

100

43 6 0 0 0

0

0 20 32 38 70 a4 100

0 21 31 31 24 15 0

0 14 31 30 5 I

0

0 7 0 0 0 0 0

40

TABLE 8. Syntheses and attempted syntheses of carbonyl compounds by the Nef reaction.

Nitroalkane

No. 1. 2. 3. 4.

5.

CH,NO, CH,CH,NO, CH,CH,CH,NO, (CH3)2CHNO, CH3(CH2)3N02

CH3CHzCH(CH3)N0, (CH,),CHCH,KO,

6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

CF3CF,CF2CH,CH,N0, CH,CH,CH(CH,OH)NO, (CH,) ,CHCH (OH)CH,NO,

13.

C7-NO2

14.

(CH3)3CCH2N02 (CH3)2C(CH2N02)2a

(C6H5)2

Yield carbonyl compound (%)

100 77 80 84 85 82 32 very low 0 0 50 0 56

very

low

15.

89

16.

85-97

17.

88

18.

0

19.

80

20.

21.

Ob

68

Ref.

47 47,229 47, 229 47, 229 229 229 229 230, 231 232 233 179 179 209

234, 235 209 47, 209

236

237, 238

226

22 I , 226, 236, 239-241 242

(confinurd)

1. Nitronic Acids and Esters

41

TABLE 8-confinucd

No.

22. 23. 24. a b

Yield carbonyl compound (%) Ref. ______-

Nitroalkane

4-02NC6H4CH2N02 (C6H5)2CHCH(C6H5)NO,e

0 94 Od

(C,H5)2 C( CH3) CH( C,H5) ~ 02C

22 65 65

Monosodium salt employed.

"-

was obtained in 42% yield with 9.2% aqueous HCI at -20 100240.

to

Nitronic acids employed rather than salts. 5)2

was obtained in 70% yield with methanolic hydrogen chloride.

Nef reaction with certain strained nitrocycloalkanes. This effect may explain the failure of 5-nitronorbornene to undergo Nef reaction in contrast to the behavior of 5-nitrobicyclo[2,2,2]-2-octene (Table 8, no. 21). An example of the effect of ring strain coupled with steric hindrance is shown by l-nitro-2,3,3-triphenylcyclobutane(no. 14) which undergoes the Nef reaction in very low yield234*235. Nitrocyclobutane provides a lower yield (56%) of ketone than nitrocyclopentane (89%) and nitrocyclohexane (85-9770)47-209. Reaction of concentrated sulfuric acid (85-100 %) with salts of primary nitroalkanes leads to hydroxamic a ~ i d s ~ The ~ ~ subject - ~ ~ ~ . has been reviewed246 and the mechanism d i s ~ ~ s s e d ~ ~ ~ Direct conversion of nitroalkanes to hydroxamic acids has been observed in concentrated sulfuric a ~ i d ~(equation ~ ~ - 2 38). ~ ~Nitronic CH,CH,CH,NO,

Has04

CH,CH,CONHOH 44%

(38)

acid should be considered a primary reaction intermediate244.249*2s0. T h e nitronic acid would be protonated as in the first step of the Nef reaction. Two' mechanisms may be consideredzzz: (1) Nitrile oxide mechanismz40. In strong acid solution-in contrast to dilute aqueous acid used in the Nef reaction-dehydration of intermediate 46 might be expected to be favored over hydration. The resulting nitrile oxide intermediate 50 could rehydrate to

Arnold T Nielsen

42

produce hydroxamic acid (equation 39). The nitrile oxide mechanism is favored to explain the cleavage and/or rearrangement of R

\

OH C=N

,/

H/

---+ RC=i%OHt

'ON (50)

(46)

RCTNOH'''

+ H,O

+ H,O

__f

H+

+ RC=NOH I

RCNHOH I1

(39)

a-nitro ketones247.Of two tautomeric forms, the hydroxyamide form 52 is usually favored over the oxime 51 at e q u i l i b r i ~ m 2 ~ ~ .

mechanism, ( 2 ) Nitroso alcohol r n e c h a n i ~ r n ~ ~A~ , ~less ~ ~ favored . since water concentration is so low, involves initial hydration of 46 to the Nef intermediate 47, followed by dehydration to the nitroso alcohol 48 and tautomerization to the hydroxamic acid (equation R

H

\

/I

H C-i%

I/"

OH (47)

\

OH

R

NO

--H,O+

r C ''

OH

H

/ \

-----tRCNHOH

OH

II

(40)

0

(48)

(52)

40). Argument against this mechanism is the fact that hydroxamic acids are not usually formed under Nef conditions where dilute acid is employed. The effect of structure on yields of hydroxamic acid has been studied222. I n contrast to behavior observed in the Nef reaction, electron-withdrawing groups facilitate hydroxamic acid formation. In 85 % sulfuric acid solvent the yield from p-nitrophenylnitromethane is 86 %; from 1-nitropropane, 28 % (equation 41).

86Oo/

Carboxylic acids and hydroxylamine are formed by treatment of primary nitroalkanes with concentrated mineral a ~ i d ~ ~ ~ Nitronate ~ ~ * salts ~ may ~ also ~ -be employed. ~ ~ ~ T, h e ~ ~ ~ ~ reaction is sometimes called the Victor Meyer reaction after its discoverer and developer (1873-1876) 141.142*243.253*254. The reaction has synthetic utility both for preparation of carboxylic a ~ i d ~ ~ ~ ~ and h y d r o ~ y l a m i n e ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ - ~ ~ ~ ,

I . Nitronic Acids and Esters

43

Reaction conditions for carboxylic acid formation are somewhat more vigorous than those required for hydroxamic acid formation. Solutions of nitroalkane in 85 % sulfuric acid, or concentrated hydrochloric acid-acetic acid, are heated under reflux for several hours (equation 42). Yields of both acid and hydroxylamine are often CH,CH,NO,

850b H , S 0 4

Reflux 8 h

t

CH,CO,H

+ NH,OH+,

88%

HS0,-

(42)

86%

high (80-90%)143.Hydroxamic acids may be isolated when lower ~~~. temperatures or shorter reaction times are e m p l ~ y e d l * ~It* seems reasonable that hydroxamic acids are intermediates in the reaction. Thus the mechanism would involve the steps for hydroxamic acid formation, followed by acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of the hydroxamic acid140a.z70 (equation 43), RCNHOH

II

rr)

+ H+ +RCOH + NH,OH

(43)

I1

0

0

One commercially feasible hydroxylamine synthesis employs 1,2-dinitroethane which forms oxalic a ~ i d. Another ~ ~ ~ process - ~ ~ ~ employs nitromethane142, 2 5 5 . 2 5 6 . 2 5 8 . 2 6 6 , 2 7 1 An extension of the reaction to secondary nitroalkanes permits preparation of amides by including azide as a r e a ~ t a n t ~ ~ ~ . ~ ~ (equation 44). n-Pr,C=NO,-Na+

H SO , N a N

n-PrCONHPr-n 62 ”/;

(44)

Hydrogen halides add to nitronic acids105. With nitronate salts in ether solvent the blue a-halonitroso product 203.24D may occasionally be isolated as a colorless dimer18D*24D~274 (equation 45). (The aCHSCH=N02-Na+

CH,CH=NOH

/

2CH,CHNO HCI Et 0

I

eB :

oil

-

0

T

c1 I

CH,CHN=NCHCH,

I

Cl

1

(45)

0 Colorless M.p. 65’

halonitroso compounds are also readily prepared by halogenation of OximeSi~e,a74,z74~ )* The reaction mechanism is believed to depart from the protonated nitronic acid intermediate 46 common to nucleophilic addition reactions of nitronic acids. Addition of hydrogen chloride to form

44

Arnold T. Nielsen

53, followed by dehydration, produces the nitroso product 54 (equation 4 6 ) ,

R'

o/ C=N / \

\

RZ

R'

OH

o/ C-N /I I\ \

+HCI-

OH

\ 6/ C-N /I I\

Rz CI H OH

-

OH

Rz GI H OH

\

/I

CNO+H,O+

RE CI

(53)

(54)

The stereochemistry of this addition has been examined (equation 47)lo5.The potassium salt of 55 was treated with hydrogen chloride in ether at 0". The resulting nitroso group appears trans to the adjacent R group (phenyl, methyl) in product 56 in the kinetically controlled process. Interestingly, 56a could not be prepared by chlorination of the required oxirne'O5. H.

- H,Of

(47)

___+

Ec,O, 0'

(55a)R = CH, (55b)R = C,H,

(56a)(780/,,R = CH,) (56b)(23%, R = C,H,)

The cc-halonitroso compounds derived from primary nitronic acids tautomerize readily to form hydroxamic acid chlorides ( a - c h l o r o ~ x i m e s ) ~ T h~e ~ blue ~ ~ ~ phenylchloronitroso~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ . methane 57 is observed in solution when phenylmethanenitronic C,H,CH=NO,H

HCI __f

Et,O

7CI

C H CHNO

C H C=NOH

CI (57)Blue (not isolated)

(58)Colorless M.P. 50-51"

(48)

acid is treated with hydrogen chloride in ether; it has not been isolated, however, and rearranges to colorless benzohydroxamic acid chloride (58)249*274.275 (equation 48). The ammonium salt of

1. Nitronic Acids and Esters

45

ethyl nitroacetate forms ethyl chlorooximinoacetate (59)260 (equation 49). C,H,O,CCH=NO,-,

NH4f

HCI

__t

Et,O

C,H,O,CCHNO

C,H,O,CC=NOH

I

I

c1

c1

(49)

(59)

Reaction of hydrogen bromide with nitronic acids to form abromonitrosoalkanes appears not to have been reported. The less stable a-bromonitrosoalkanes are prepared by bromination of oximes189

,274

Hydrogen iodide (aqueous) reduces nitronic acids to oximes and is the basis for a quantitative analytical determination; the liberated iodine is titrated with sodium t h i o s ~ l f a t e ~(equation '~ 50). R,C=NO,H

+ 2 HI(aq.)

__+

R,C=NOH

+ H,O + I,

(50)

The a-halonitrosoalkanes may be oxidized to a-halonitroalkanes with peroxytrifluoroacetic acid18e. 6 . Electrophilic addition. Electrophilic additions to nitronic acids occur on the nitronate anion. The following discussion is limited to reactions of nitronic acids in acid solution. With a few exceptions the many reactions of nitronate salts and nitronate anions in basic solution-Michael addition and aldol-type condensations, for example-will be discussed in the second volume of this treatise. Halogens, or hypohalogen acids, add readily to nitronic acids to yield a-halonitr~alkanes~'~*~~~ (equation 51). The mechanism C6H5CH=N0,H

+ Cl,

C,H,CHClNO,

+ HC1

(51)

involves addition of halogen to a nitronate anion (equation 52). OH

R'

\C=N'

R' \ RS/c=N%

rd

R'

0-

+H+

'c=N{'

Kb

RL

O \

(52)

R'

0-

A*

-

&

+ X,

(or XOH)

+

\

/I

C-NO,

+ X-

(or OH-)

RS X X = C1, Br, I

Addition of iodine monochloride (IC1) produces the iodo compound, R'R*CINO,, and chloride ion2". I t is to be noted that a-halonitroalkanes are most conveniently prepared by halogenation of nitronate salts.

46

Arnold T. Nielsen

Reaction of nitrous acid with nitronic acids and salts yields pseudonitroles ( b l ~ e ) ~ ~ ~ These * ~ ~ pseudonitroles ~ * ~ ~ ~ - derived ~ ~ ~ . from primary nitronic acids isomerize very readily to nitrolic a ~ i d ~ The ~ reaction ~ ~ was ~ ~discovered ~ ~ by ~ Victor ~ ~ Meyer ~ ( 1873)278*279 who first prepared acetonitrolic acid and dimethyl pseudonitrole by addition of dilute acid to a mixture of nitroalkane salt and potassium nitrite (equations 53 and 54). T h e blue pseudonitroles may be isolated in the solid state or in solution; often they are isolated as colorless crystalline dimers. On melting, the dimers form blue liquids containing pseudonitrole monomer (equation 54).

+ KNO,

CH,CH=NO,-Na+

H+ __f

(53)

CH,C=NOH

I

NO, Acetonitrolic acid M.p. 81-82' (CH,),C=NO,-Na+

NO, 0

I

ti+

+ KNO, +(CH,),CNO, I

Heat

t

(CH,),CN=NC(CH,),

1

NO Dimethyl pseudonitrole

1

0 NO, Dimer M.p. 76'

(54)

Th e reaction mechanism for pseudonitrole formation very likely involves nitronate anion, rather than nitronic acid, in a reaction with nitrosonium ion (NO+) or N,0,'05 (equation 55). HNO,

+ H+

__f

NO+

+ H,O R' C=KOH II

NO?

R' 'CNO

R

2/

Blue

Colorless

I

NO,

R'

0

Dimer (Colorless) (55)

Th e stereochemistry of pseudonitrole formation has been examined in the system shown in equation 56Io5.Addition of NO+ to 60 occurs cis to the R group (C,H6, CH,) leading to a trans arrangement of R

~

~

~

47

1. Nitronic Acids and Esters

(608) R = CH3 (6Ob) R = C,H,

@la) (83%, R = CH3)

(61b) (58%, R = C,H,)

and nitro (product development control) in the product 61; repulsion of R and incipient NO, in the transition state may account for the result. Since nitrous acid may be formed from nitrite on acidification of nitronate salts (the nitrite formed in situ by air oxidation of nitronatesZBo or autooxidation-reduction of nitronic acids4') , pseudonitrole and nitrolic acid formation is a side reaction which often results on This regeneration of nitroalkanes from their salts*E0~1B0~228~249~2B1-~B3. reaction is favored by use of aged nitronate solutions at 0-25", and ~ example, ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ . by slow addition of the nitronate salt to the a ~ i d For sodium bicyclo[2,2,l]heptane-2-nitronate when added slowly to aqueous hydrochloric acid at room temperature leads to a 20 % yield Conditions have been developed for of pseudonitrole dimer 62226.

(62)

M.p. 108'

securing high yields of pseudonitroles by simple acidification of nitronate salts; the process has been patented281-283. Addition of dinitrogen tetroxide to nitronic a ~ i d s or~ ~ ~ * ~ nitronate salts285*286 also leads to pseudonitroles or nitrolic acids, a reaction discovered by BambergeP. Oximes also may be used as reactantsB3~1B1~1B2~2B6. Excess N204converts phenylpseudonitrole into a,a-dinitrotol~ene'~~*~~~~~~~ (equations 57-59). CgHsC(CH,)=NO,-Na+

+ N204 3C,HsC(CH,)NO + NaNO,

C,H,O,CCH=NO,-Na+

+ N204--& C,H,O,CC=NOH + NaNOs

I

NO2

I

NO2

(57)

(58)

Arnold T. Nielsen

48

0

C6H5CH=N0,H

\ /

&04,CCI,, 0"

pI',o,, CCI,.

CsH5CHNO

I

NO, 0"

/ \

NO,

t

I

C H CHN=NCHC,H,

(59)

0

NO, 6 5 '

NP4

C,H,CH=NOH

C6H5CH(N02)2

Attempts to convert 1,l-dinitroalkanes into 1,l-dinitro-1-nitrosoalkanes by this method have led to other products181. Potassium 1-nitroethanenitronate forms acetonitrolic acid, presumably due to hydrolysis by adventitious water of the observed blue intermediate, 1,l-dinitro-I-nitrosoethane(63)286(equation 60). a-Nitrophenylmethanenitronate forms trinitromethylbenzene by oxidation of the intermediate nitroso compound 64181*284 (equation 61). NO CH,C===NO,-K+

I

I I

NXO4

CH,CNO,

Et,O

H,O __+

CH,C=WOH

I

NO2

NO2

(60)

NO2

(63) Blue

(not isolated)

NO C H C=NO,-K+

'I

NO2

NSO4 __f

Et,O

1

C H CNO,

'

5~

NO,

NO2 ~ a 0 4

I

C H CNO,

"1

(6')

NO,

(64)

Pseudonitroles are quite reactive compounds and may become converted into other substances under the usuai preparation conditions. The isomerization of primary pseudonitroles (those having a n alpha hydrogen) to nitrolic acids occurs very readily in the aliphatic series. No simple aliphatic pseudonitrole of structure RCH(NO)NO, appears to have been described. Phenyl pseudonitrole, C,H,CH(NO)NO,, has been prepared and isolated as its dimer which was found to be unstable a t room temperature, decomposing in one day, and melting with explosive decomposition"l. With aqueous alkali it readily isomerizes to benzonitrolic acid181. Dimers derived from disubstituted pseudonitroles, R1R2C(NO)NO2, are table^'^.^^^. Benzonitrolic acid decomposes on standing in nitrous acid solution, or on warming, to yield diphenylfuroxan

-

I . Nitronic Acids and Esters

49

(65)277 ; benzonitrile oxide may be an intermediate (equation 62). C,H,CHKO, I

OH-

C,H,C=NOH I

The nitration of dipotassium tetranitroethane with mixed acid (5-70") to produce hexanitroethane in 90% yield should be considered an electrophilic addition of nitronium ion to a bisnitronate ionm7(equation 63). OZN

*b

(2

NO,

,C-C. .;/ \. 0 + 2 NO,+ +(O,N),C-C(NO,), OZN NO, (HZSO,, HNOJ (90%) 0

(63)

M.p. 142'

The conversion of the trinitromethyl substituted nitronic acid 66 into a bisdinitromethyl derivative 67 is an interesting rearrangement288*e8e. The reaction, carried out in ethanol with potassium acetate288or ammonium hydroxide'", may involve intramolecular or intermolecular nitration of the intermediate nitronate ion by the o-trinitromethyl group (equation 64). (O,N),CCH,C=NO,H

I

R

KOAc

EtOH

__f

(O,N),CHCH,C (NO& (87)

(66)

R = H, CH,, C,H,

I R

(64)

Nitronic acids, nitronate salts, and certain nitroalkanes react with diazonium salts to form a-nitroaldehyde hydrazones in high yield6~"0~'~B~'90--2B9. The reaction was discovered by Victor MeyerZB0.2B1. I t involves an addition to a nitronate anion (equation 65). The C,H,CH=NO,H C,H,CH=NO,-

+ C,H,N,+

C,H,CH=NO,__t

-+ H+

C H C=NNHC,H,

' '1

NO'

CH,CH=NO,-Na+

+ C,H,N,+

M.p. 101.5-102' __t

CH,C=NNHC,H,

I

NO,

92%; M.p. 141-142'

(65)

Arnold T. Nielsen

50

a-nitroaldehyde hydrazones react with diazomethane to produce orange-red methyl esters of phenylazonitronic acids (see section 1V.A.1 ) 6 . 2 9 5 - 2 9 9 Phenyl isocyanate reacts with arylmethanenitronic acids to produce d i p h e n y l ~ r e aand ~ ~ unidentified 0 i l ~ ~ 2 . ~ ~ ~ . 2. Oxidation and reduction reactions

T h e reaction of nitronic acids with oxidizing agents has not been extensively studied. Bornane-2-nitronic acid is oxidized to camphor with permanganate2a1~z30 (equation 66). Oxidation of 2-(nitromethy1)alkanenitronic acids (formed in situ from the sodium salts) occurs

smoothly with nitric acid (but not sulfuric acid) to yield 2-nitromethylalkanoic acids23, (equation 67). T h e hindered nitronic acid, (CH3)2CCH-N0,H II

HNO,

(CH,),?CO,H

90-Y5"

(67)

I

CH,NO,

CH,NO, 660,:

(C,H,),CHC(C,H,) =NO,H, was found to be inert to sodium peroxide or ozone65. The oxidation of secondary nitronate anions by oxygen in basic solution to yield ketonesza0is not observed in acid solution. Reduction of nitronic acids to oximes occurs readily in excellent yields, with a wide variety of reducing agents (Table 9). T h e polarographic half-wave potential at p H 0 for reduction of propane2-nitronic acid to acetoxime is -0.9 v; at p H 2, E, = 1.05 \Pa (CH,),C=NO,H + 2 H+ + 2e- + (CH,),C-:NOH + H,O (68) (equation 68). Reduction of cyclohexanenitronic acid to cyclohexanone oxime (70-80 % yield) has been accomplished with several reducing agents (see Table 9 (equation 69)). Hydroxylamine reduces cyclododecanenitronic acid to the oxime in 91 % yieldZa3. NOZH f HZS

+

O

N

17%

O

H

+

HzO

+

S

(69)

51

1. Nitronic Acids and Esters

TABLE 9. Reduction of nitronic acids to oxirnes. Yield oxirne Kitronic acid

Reducing agent

CH,CH=KO,H CH,CH,CH===NO,H (CH,),C=NO,H

HI HI HI HI H,S H,S,O, SH20H SH,CI, CH,OH NaHg NaHg

/\.INOZH

U

(7;)

Ref.

2 76 2 76

I ooa 100" 1ooa 1000 77

-

2 76 2 76 300, 301 302 303 301 33 33

NH,OH

91

203

.,\IHg

-

65

80

70 -

Quantitative analytical method; product not isolated.

Phenylmethancnitronic acid is reduced to the oxime with zinc and alkali and sodium amalgam,,; aluminum amalgam has also been used for nitronic acid reduction65. Complete reduction of a nitronic acid to the corresponding amine appears not to have been reported; catalytic (Pt) hydrogenation should effect it. T h e mechanism of nitronic acid reduction may involve a radicalchain process initiated by electron transfer between nitronic acid and nitronate anion (equation 70)305.Reduction of the radical-anion intermcdiate 69 could include steps 7 1-74. These suggested steps include dissociation of 69 into oximate ion 70 and hydroxyl radical (71)(equation 71), followed by reduction of hydroxyl by hydrogen R,C

SO,H

+ R,C-

NO,-

R,CSO,

+ R,CN

/

0-

(70)

'OH (68)

0-

R,CS

---+

R,C=NO-

(69)

+ HO'

(71)

Arnold T. Niclsen

52

R,CN

O ,-

+ H,S

‘OH (69)

R,C==NO,-

+ HS’

__f

R&=NO-

-

+ H,O + HS’

(70)

(73)

(72)

0-

K&N

/’

\

(69)

+S

(74)

OH

sulfide to hydrosulfide radical (72) (equation 72). Alternatively, a concerted reaction of 69 with hydrogen sulfide (equation 73) may be more likely to occur in the presence of the reducing agent. Finally, another electron exchange (equation 74) would regenerate 69 and continue the chain. An interesting and complex reaction exhibited by nitronic acids ~ u ~ ~ ~ ~ ~,226.298.308.307. 1 3 , 2 7 . 4 This 7 is an a u ~ o o x ~ ~ a ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ .48.65.84.203.204 process has been observed in solution and in the solid state. Oxime is a characteristic product. Other products are ketones, substituted 1,2-dinitroethanes, nitrolic acids, nitrous acid, and oxides of nitrogen. I n solution the reaction is dependent on the structure of the nitronic acid and on the pH. I t has been studied quantitatively in dilute aqueous solution by Armand47.48(Table 7, section III.C.1 .a., summarizes some of the data). For example, cyclohexanenitronic acid a t p H 2.4 produces the following products4’ (equation 75). Tautomerization to nitrocyclohexane is important only at higher pH.

At lower p H ( < 1 ) one obtains only the Nef product, cyclohexanone. I t is to be noted that oxime is not a Nef product. T h e autooxidation-reduction reaction is catalyzed by acids. At certain acid concentrations ( p H 2-4) it competes with tautomerization and Nef reaction. Secondary nitronic acids undergo the reaction much more readily than primary. A mechanism for the reaction is suggested by the facts above. Nitronic acids are very easily reduced to oximes and are present in unprotonated form in rather high concentration at p H 2-4. The initial step(s) is the Nef hydrolysis (equation 76). The reducing agent

I . Nitronic Acids and Esters

53

is believed to be the Nef hydrolysis product, nitroxyl, or its equivalent (equation 77) ; cJ. the mechanism of oxime formation (equations 70-74). The stoichiometry of the process which indicates that R' 0 R'

' /

R2

R'

\ C=Nr /

R2 R'

C=N

'

\

OH

0

\

+ HNO OH

00

5

'C=O+H++HNO+H,O

/

Nef (76)

R2

R' \, C=NOH

/

R2

R'

+ HNO,

Oxidation-reduction (77)

NO

Nitrosation (78)

oxime and pseudonitrole form in equal amounts, and in yields always less than that of ketone, suggests an immediate reaction of nitrous acid with remaining nitronic acid (equation 78). A relatively slow tautomerization of nitronic acid to nitroalkane (observed with secondary nitronic acids) evidently favors the oxidation process. The conversion of nitronic acids into oximes by boiling in ethanol could involve decomposition of an ethyl nitronate (see section IV.C.2), as well as autooxidation-reduction. Decomposition of nitronic acids occurs in the absence of solvents13.27 -65.296, but this process has received no systematic study. BambergerZg6and K o n o ~ a l o w 'observed ~ the facile formation of benzophenone and its oxime from diphenylmethanenitronic acid. T h e decomposition, which is believed to include autooxidationreduction, often leads to oxime, ketone, and oxides of nitrogen. Tautomerization also occurs. The decomposition is accelerated by traces of water. I t is inhibited by accumulation of bulky groups about the nitronate carbon (see half-lives listed in Table 6, section 1II.A) which also inhibits Nef hydrolysis. An interesting intramolecular oxidation-reduction is observed with the very hindered nitronic acid 73, which does not tautomerize to nitroalkane nor undergo the Nef reaction. I n methanolic hydrogen (74) by participachloride 73 forms the 3,4,4-triphenyl-2-isoxazoline tion of the neighboring alkyl group, CH2Rs5(equation 79).

(73) R = H , CH,

(74) 70%

Arnold T. Niclsen

54

Bimolecular coupling products ( 1,2-dinitroethanes such as 76) are obtained from fluorene-9-nitronic acid (75) and its ringsubstituted derivatives by warming in ethanols4-205*308-310. Fluorenone oxime (77) is also formed in 26% yields4 (equation 80). Although other nitronic acids have not been observed to undergo this reaction, nitronate salts can form bimolecular coupling products on o x i d a t i ~ n ~Dimer ~ ~ . ~76~ is~ also . prepared in quantitative yield

+

(75)

(76)

(77)

by reaction of the potassium salt of 75 with iodine313,or by heating 9-iodo-9-nitrofluorene314. It may also be prepared in 71 % yield by electrolysis of the 75 salt313. Formation of dimer 76 is believed to involve the spontaneously initiated process leading to radicals 68, 69 (equation 70)305.312.314-316. The following equations (81-86) are suggested to explain dimerization

1. Nitronic Acids and Esters

55

and oxime formation. Formation of a radical anion intermediate (78) (equation 81) would he fa\.ored over a reaction between radicals 68 and 69312.315. An exchange would lead to dimer 79 (equation 82). Oxime formation is explained by the sequence suggested for nitronic acid reduction (equation 83) involving dissociation of 69 into oximate ion 70 and hydroxyl radical 71. Radical 68 is regenerated by electron exchange hetween hydroxyl radical and nitronate ion (cquation 84). Alternatively, a direct electron transfer between 69 a nd nitronic acid could lead to the same result (equation 85). Finally, protons made availalile by required ionization of the nitronic acid can produce oxime (cquation 86). 'I'tie decomposition of p-bromophenylcyanomethanenitronic acid (80) into dimeric products, in the solid state or in benzene solution, may be a radical process1y6. Gentle heating leads to a 1-nitro-1,Zdicyano derivative 81 (cquation 87) ; a 1,2-dinitroethane derivative Prolonged hcating or a slightly higher tempcrawas not ture lcads to a 1,2-dicyanostilhene (82). o-Bromophenylcyanomethanenitronic acid l)eha\.es ~ i m i l a r l y ' ~I ~n .dilute aqueous sulfuric

acid solution a t room temperature 80 is coniw-ted quantitatively (equation 88). T h e into the dicyanostilbene derivative 82196,197 mechanism may involve combination of spontaneously initiated

56

Arnold T. Nielsen

radical and radical anion, with loss of nitrite from the initially formed adduct 83 (equation 89). ArC(CN)- SO,H

+ .\rC(CN)=SO,--

ArC(CS)SO,

/

0-

+ ArC(CN)N

\

ArC(CN)SO,

+ ArC(CN)N/ \

Ar

0-

I / I

0-

OH (89)

ArC(CN)CN

I

NO,

OH

CN

‘\\

OH

(83)

:\rC(CS)CH(CN)Ar

83

I

+ NO,-

NO,

Heating strongly in aqueous alkali converts the nitronate salt 84 into an unsubstituted stilbene 8 5 I g 6 (equation 90). Certain other aryl nitronate salts behave ~ i m i l a r l y ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ” . p-UrC H C-NO,-Na+

N a O H , aq. 150- 160”

p-RrC6H4CH= CHC6H4Rr-p

(90)

5-6 h

4~ (: S

(85)

(84)

70-80°,

3. Reactions of a-halonitronic acids

The a-halonitronic acids, R C (X)=NO ,H ( X = halogen), are somewhat unique in the ease with which they undergo displacement of halide ion by various nucleophiles. Reactions of these substances are believed to occur with a nitronic acid, rather than a nitronate intermediate. Examples of such reactions include the ter Mee13I8 hydrolysis to carboxylic and coupling to 1,2-dinitroethylenes313.320. a-Halonitronic acids are reactive and attempts to isolate them have failed32. They are readily reduced to halide and nitronate anion3z1. The ter Meer reaction318 involves a displacement of halide by weakly nucleophilic nitrite ion3,,. For example, 1,1,4,4-tetranitrobutane (86) may be prepared by reaction of the dipotassium salt of 1,4-dibromo-l,4-dinitrobutanewith potassium nitrite323 (equation K+-O,N=CCH,CH,C=KO,-K+

I

Br

I

Br K+-O,N=C

+ 2 KNO,

I

__f

(NO,) CH,CH,C(NO,)=NO,-K+ HCI, Et,O

J.

(O,N),CHCH,CH,CH(NO,), (86)

+ 2 KBr

57

I , Nitronic Acids and Esters

91). The mechanism is depicted as a displacement on the a-halonitronic acid3,, (equation 92). H+

RC=NO,-

RC=NO,H

I

I

Br

NO,-

-H+

RC=NO,H

- Br-

I

NO2

Br

RC=NO,-

Hf

RCHNO,

I

I

(92)

NO,

NO,

The mechanism of a-chloronitroalkane hydrolysis has been s t ~ d i e d ~ ' ~The . ~ ~reaction ~. is interpreted as a displacement of chloride, by water, from an a-chloronitronic acid intermediate (equation 93).

+ H,O

CH,C=NO,H

I

-cI-

__f

CH,C=NO,H

I

H O+

3 CH,CO,H

+ N,O

(93)

OH

CI

Halonitromethanenitronic acids are ~ n s t a b l e ~ They ~ * ~under~ ~ * ~ ~ ~ . go a complex rearrangement to d i h a l o d i n i t r o m e t h a n e ~(equation ~~~ 94). Br Has04 I BrC=NO,-K+

BrC=N02H

I

I

NO2

--+

(94)

BrCN02

I

NO,

NO2

1,2-Dinitroethylene coupling products of a-halonitronic acids apparently are formed by displacement of halide-by attack of nitronate anion on an a-halonitronic For example, 1,2dinitro-2-butene may be formed in 36% yield from l-chloro-lnitroethane by treatment with ca. one mole-equivalent of aqueous sodium hydroxide solution at 10-15" (pH ca. 9) (equation 95). CH,C=NO,H

c1 I

CH3

+ CH,C=NO,-

HO,N=C-CNO,

I

1 HO,N=C-CNO, AH, CI I

+ C1-

CH, Cl

(41

CH,

I 1

CH,

-H+

+-O,N=C-CNO, I

I I

CH, CI

CH,

I +02NC=CN0, 2 1 -

I

(95)

CH, 36%

Coupling of a-halonitroalkanes and nitronate salts can lead to 1,2dinitroethanese4~310*313~3T7~328 (equation 96). This reaction may be conducted in situ by treating nitronate salts with iodine84~310~313*82'. Such reactions apparently involve nitronate ions rather than nitronic

58

Arnold T. Nielsen

NO,

2 C,H5CH-S02-Saf

I

+ I, +C,H,C:tI~HC,H, + 2 NaI I

s0,

(96)

h1.p. 155' (low me1t ing isomer)3Z7

acids. They may proceed by displacement8' or radica1-anion8'J1' mechanisms. 4. Reactions of ketonitronic acids

Several u- and y-ketonitronic acids ha\.e been described and their somewhat unique chemistry is discussed in this section. Ketonitronic acids are usually prepared by acidification of their alkali metal salts; the salts of a-nitroketones are conveniently prepared by the alkaline nitration of ketone^^'"^^^. a-Kitroketones may be prepared by reaction of a-bromoketones with silver nitrite331 or sodium nitrite332. For all u-ketonitronic acids there exist three possible tautomeric forms: acz or u-ketonitronic acid (87),keto (88), and enol (89) (equation 97). R'CC(R2)=N0,H

ll

0 (87) Aci a-Ketonitronic acid

R'CCH(R')SO,

II

0 (88) Keto

R1C=C(R2)Ii02

I

(97)

OH (89) Enol

Compounds representing each of the three forms have been reported. I n solution the three forms can exist in tautomeric equilibrium with the common anion, R1COC(R2)=NO,-. The interconversion is catalyzed by bases and acids. The relative concentration of 87,88, and 89 may be measured by ultraviolet, infrared, and nmr and with the lies in the presence of the aid of bromine t i t r a t i ~ n A ~ ~complication . fourth species, the common anion, particularly in protic solvents. The composition of the equilibrium mixture is solvent dependent (Table The keto form of a-nitroketones (88) is favored in polar proti; solvents such as ethanol as one observes with @dicarbonyl c o m p o u n d ~ ~Enol ~ . form 89 is favored more in aprotic solvents such as carbon tetrachloride or hexane suggesting a n intramolecularly hydrogen-bonded form330.Its concentration usually remains low, however.

59

1. Nitronic Acids and Esters

The amount of a-ketonitronic acid (87) present in these equilibria is believed to be quite small. However, freshly prepared solutions, obtained by acidification of salts of a-ketonitronic acids, probably contain relatively high concentrations of nitronic acid form; on standing the nitroketone usually results329. T h e acyclic a-ketonitronic acids derived from a-nitroacetophenone and a-nitroacetone were studied earlier by Hantzsch32-33Y*340 and by others36.249.331.Other examples have been studied more r e ~ e n t l y ~The ~ ~ 'nitronic ~ ~ ~ . acid appears to be the least favored form at equilibrium. The keto form predominates (ca. 99%) in protic and aprotic solvents for aromatic and aliphatic acyclic nitro ketones. The properties of alicyclic a-ketonitronic acids (91) generally resemble those of their acyclic counterparts. Alkali salts of alicyclic a-ketonitronic acids (90) have been prepared frequently since they are readily available by alkaline nitration of ketones329*330. An oil is obtained by acidification of the C6 potassium salt (90, n = 4) with dilute sulfuric acid at 0"; the oil, possibly a mixture of tautomers

n = 4-8;10

(90)

(91)

(92)

(93)

(98)

91, 92, and 93 (equation 98), slowly crystallizes on standing to form a-nitrocyclohexanone (92, .n = 4; m.p. 39.5-40°)329. Solutions of the

freshly prepared oil give a red color with ferric chloride and are acidic. I n solution in aprotic solvents alicyclic a-nitrocycloalkanones However, in appear to exist to some extent in the enol form 93334-342. protic solvents the keto form is strongly favored (Table 10). Ring size affects the enol content in carbon tetrachloride solution330; C6, C8, and C,, a-nitrocycloalkanones have higher enol contents than C,, C9,and C1,homologs.

60

TABLE 10. Equilibrium composition of nitroketones. Nitroketone CH,CH,CH,COCH,NO, CH,CH,COCH(CH,)NO, CH,COC(CH,),NO,

02N--f~-No2

bO

% Keto I00 100

100

CH,Cl, (CD3)2S02

25 100 100

50 69.4

CCI, CDCI,

NO2

N

CCl, CCI, CCI,

EtOH

0

d

Solvent

?

CH,CH,CH,COCH(C,H5)N02 C6H5COCH,N0,

0

C,H,COCH (CH,) NO,

Ref. 333 333 333 335 335 335 330 333

CCI,

100

330

CCI, C,H50H CH,OH CDCI,

100 89.7 94.7 97.2 100

330 36 36 36 333

CCI,

100

330

CCl,

70

330

2

C6H6

10 12 62 90

336 336 336 336 336

CCI, EtOH

10 70 70

330 330 330

neat

100

333

CCI,

90

330

C6H5CH3

HZ0 EtOH CH,CO,H Et,O

(continued)

1, Nitronic Acids and Esters

61

TABLE l0-continued Solvent

KOs

02N& 0

H3

Ref.

93

DZO

100

337 337a

CCI,

60

330

CCI,

100

330

EtOH

97

35

CDCI,

50

334

C6H6

*

% Keto

CH,

Spectroscopic evidence strongly supports the presence of the enol 93 rather than nitronic acid form 91 in aprotic solvents330. For a-nitrocyclohexanone a sharp OH peak at -3.6 T (CCl,), intensity - 0.5 proton, is observed in the nmr spectrum of the equilibrated N mixture. I n addition there appears a weak band at 1613 cm-' in the neat sample (possible C=C), and N O , bands at 1550 and 1515 cm-l representing unconjugated and conjugated nitro groups, respectively. Other a-nitrocycloalkanones (C,-C 12) have similar spectra. The carbonyl band appears in reduced intensity near 17201740 cm-' in carbon tetrachloride solution indicating presence of a-nitroketone 92 rather than a-ketonitronic acid 91; also the latter might be expected to have a carbonyl band near 1639 cm-' as found in the salts 90. No sharp OH stretching bands are found in the infrared spectra ; only very broad bands, characteristic of more

62

Arnold T. Nielsen

associated protons, occur. The ultraviolet spectrum of a-nitrocyclohexanone in carbon tetrachloride reveals a strong band at 320 mp ( E 3970)330. Other a-nitrocycloalkanones ((2-C,,) have similar ultraviolet spectra (i.,,,, 320-370 m p ; F,,:,, 1700-4000), which could be assigned to the enol form330.Alkali salts of a-nitroketones also have strong bands at ca. 340 m p ( E 12000) in absolute ethanol330. Comparison of the ultraviolet spectra of the a-nitroketone 94 with that of its nitronic ester 98 and enol ether 97 (prepared by reaction of' 94 with diazomethane) indicate very little keto form to exist in 96 % ethanol s o l ~ t i o n ~(equations ~ " ~ ~ ~ 99, 100). However, the relative concentrations of enol 95 and nitronic acid 96 cannot be

,I$?:' 285 m/t

m/c (7950) 358 rnp (3740)

,I gtt:'310

(5320)

determined from the ultraviolet spectral data alone. 2-Nitro-ltetralone (99) exhibits behavior different than that of 94. I t exists in the enol form in hexane, but in ethanol the keto form predomin a t e ~ The ~ ~ ~band . at 370 mp is not found in 2-bromo-Z-nitro-ltetralone or 1-tetralone and is believed to be characteristic of the (equation 101), enol form 100 rather than the nitronic acid, 101330*334 0

0

OH

--

&NO2

(99)

(100)

(99, 100, 101) :

Agt2z370 mp (294) ;

(101)

(101)

370 m y (l0,SOO)

T h e formation of oxindigos (e.g. 102) by heating acidified

I . Nitronic Acids and Esters

64

a-ketonitronate salts suggests a radical-anion coupling reaction characteristic of nitronic acids whose anions are resonance ~tabilized332.3~~ (equation 102). The cnol form 103 of 2-nitro-l-indanone (104) described bv earlier ~ ~ r k ehasr recently ~ ~ ~been ~ shown . ~ to ~ have ~ the isomeric

(102)

nitroolefin structure 105349*350. The substance is prepared by condensation of o-phthalaldehyde with nitromethane. OH

(103)

0

(104)

(105)

a-Nitrocamphor and certain bromo and chloro derivatives have been studied e ~ t e n s i v e l y ~ ~ ' With . ~ ~ ~Pseudo - ~ ~ ~bromonitrocamphor . (106) two forms have been isolated, m.p. 108" and 142"; the higher However, ~ . ~ the ~ ~ * ~ ~ melting form is said to be a nitronic a ~ i d ~ ~ various crystalline so-called aci forms could also be epimeric nitro

(106)

ketones362. T h e mutarotation of a-nitrocamphor is catalyzed by acids and bases357.362; general acid catalysis is observed362. Salts of alicyclic a, a'-dinitronic acids (e.g. 107) have been prepared from cycloalkanones by reaction with alkyl nitrates and alkali a l k o ~ i d e s ~ ~Acidification ~ . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~of ~ salt ~ * 107 ~ ~ ~produces . a n oil described as a bisnitronic acid 10832Q,but which may contain ketone 109, enol 110, as well as a nitronic acid derived from 110. O n standing, the oil slowly crystallizes forming ketone 109. I n methylene chloride solution 109 appears to exist 75% as the enol form 110, but in ethanol solely as ketone (equation 103).

Arnold T. Nielsen

64

(107)

(108)

(103)

(109)

M.p. 110.So

Dipotassium cyclopentanone-2,5-bisnitronateon acidification gave crystals (not identified) which decomposed readily to produce an 0i1329. Extending this reaction to N-methyl-4-piperidone produced a zwitterion (112) on acidification of the bisnitronate salt (111)lg2. Its structure is believed to be the enol 112, rather than the ketonitronic acid 113 since its spectra are different from the disalt 111. T h e carbonyl band of 111 at 1600 cm-' (Nujol) is not found in 112, and 112 has a broad OH band near 2750 cm-' and an ultraviolet band at 364 mp not found in 111 (equation 104). 0

(111)

OH

(112)

n

(113)

(104)

M.p. 119'

"'A maxEtoH-Hzo

234 rnp (4960) 308 m p (4080) 390 rnp (10,300)

, I* EtoH-Hzo " max

304 m p (2240) 364 rnp (3440) 415 rnp (4150)

Alicyclic a, a'-diketonitro compounds 114-118 have been prepared64~396~399*364-370. These substances are rather strong acids and in solution in protic solvents exist largely as resonance stabilized nitronate anions. The 2-nitro- 1,3-~yclohexanedione derivatives 114a and 114b, have been described as nitroenols 115a,b in the solid state374(equation 105). The strong absorption bands at 293 m p ( E 5000) and a t 296 m p ( E 7000) of chloroform solutions of 114a

I . Nitronic Acids and Esters

65

(105)

(114a) R1 = R* = CH, (114b) R' = H ; R2 = C,H,

(115a,b)

and 114b, respectively, suggest a high concentration of enol in the aprotic solvent. 2-Nitrodimedone (114a) is a relatively weak acid (pKsYitro 3) compared to nitrobarbituric acid (116a) and 2nitro- 1,3-indanedione (118, pK~~it'o < 0)54*339*365*369. Nitrobarbituric acid (116a) and its dimethyl derivative (116b, m.p. 152") were

=NO,H

O= K (116a) R =

H

(116b) R = CH, M.p. 152'

)

(117)

prepared and studied by H ~ l l e m a nwho ~ ~described them as nitronic acids 117 (equation 106). Z-Nitr0-1,3-indanedione (118), a much studied is a strong acid, comparable to h y d r o ~ h l o r i c ~I t~cannot ~ ~ ~ ~ be ~. a ~ e t y l a t e dand ~ ~ in ~ water exists only 2 % in the nitrodiketo form 118, or 98% as forms 119-121 by bromine titration,,,; in benzene

Arnold T. Nielsen

66

solution, however, it exists 90% in the nitrodiketo form 118 (equation 107). This interesting solvent effect is opposite to that found for all other a-nitroketones. Usually the nitroketone form is favored in protic solvents and the enol form is favored in aprotic solvents. I t appears that the enol form 121 in this unique system is not important in either protic or aprotic solvents; the ionic form 120 is evidently very important in protic solvents. Nitromalonaldehyde (122, 123) is an unstable substance, m.p. 50-51" 377. It is prepared by acidification of its silver salt with ethereal hydrogen In water it produces a yellow, strongly acidic solution, but it decomposes rapidly in this solvent to yield 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene and formic acid. It is soluble in benzene and may be crystallized from ligroin. In the solid state and in CHO

CHOH

CHO

CHSO,

CNO,

C-SO,H

CHO

CHO

CHO

(122)

(123)

(124)

I

I

I1

I

I I

aprotic solvents it probably exists principally as the enol 123. Very little nitronic acid 124 would be present in protic solvents. Rather, one would find principally the anion since this is a strong acid - 0). The sodium salt is nearly colorlcss in the solid state (pK.:itro = and relati\dy table^^^."^. Aqueous solutions of nitromalonaldeliyde, however, are colored yellow. y-Ketonitronic acids are known. Some are readily prepared by Michael addition of vinyl ketones to suitable nitro alkane^^^^^^^^^^^^. T h e slow rate of reduction of the carbonyl group of 125 with sodium borohydride may be explained by formation of the cyclic pseudo ester 127 from y-ketonitronate anion 1263s1(equation 108). Some ketonitronic acid might be expected to be present in the aqueous methanol which was employed as solvent. CH3COCH- CH,

+ CH,(NO,), +C:H,CO(:H,CH,CH,(NO,), (125)

(126)

(127)

The nitrovinylation reaction1g1.2*3,3H2 leads to 4-keto-1-nitroolefins which exist principally in the nitronic acid form in protic

I . Nitronic Acids and Esters

67

solvents, and principally in the nitro form in aprotic solvent^^^^^^^^. The compound 128 in methylene chloride solution has the characteristic phenyl vinyl ketone absorption (e.g. C,H,COCH=CHCH, C,H,COCH,

+ (CH,),NCH=CHNO,

I . CIOK, EtOH; -(CH3)*KH

2. HCI

C6H5COCH= CHCH,NO,

C,H,COCH=CHCH=NO,H

(128) l,ClI,CI

max

2

* ( 109)

(129)

258 rnp (10,900)

400 rnp (6600)

p 3 0 1 i

max 256 mp, cmax 17,400) and absorbs at much lower wave length than the nitronic acid 129, with its extended conjugation, which is formed in methanol (equation 109). Unlike compound 125 the carbonyl group in 128 can be easily reduced to hydroxyl with sodium borohydride213. T h e benzoylindenenitronic acid 130 is known and is prepared by acylation of potassium indene-1-nitronates6 (equation 1 10).

0

c,H,COCI

W 7 C O C , j H 5

1 NOZQ

(1 10)

NO,

NO2 H (130) 77% M.p. 121'

The tautomers of o- and p-nitrophenols are ct- and y-ketonitronic acids, r e ~ p e c t i v e l y ~Their ~~~~ yellow ~ ~ . color in basic solution in protic solvents is due to nitronate anions. The yellow color was observed by Hantzsch to remain momentarily on acidification of these salts due to formation of the relatively weak nitronic acids 131, 1323833.384 (equation 11 1 ) ; esters of these acids have been prepared384.

Colorlcss

Yellow

(132) Yellow

68

Arnold T. Nielsen

Tautomerization of the yellow nitronic acids 131, 132 to the colorless nitrophenols occurs very rapidly. Anthrone- 10-nitronic acid (134) is an interesting y-ketonitronic a ~ i d ~ ~Two * ~tautomeric ~ - ~ ~ .forms have been reported-nitro ketone 133 and nitrophenol 135. Colorless 10-nitroanthrone (133) is prepared by nitration of anthracene in acetic acid. I t forms a deep red potassium salt when treated with potassium hydroxide solution. 0

I

(133) Colorless 8076; h1.p. 137'; 148' H,O,

25'

*

@

1. KOH

2. Dil. H,SO,,O'

(1 12)

NO, H

NO, (135) R = H; yellow; unstable (136) R = OAc; yellow; m.p. 182' (137) R = O,CCGH,; yellow; m.p. 238'

(134) Red M.p. 80-85'

The salt reacts with cold dilute sulfuric acid to yield carmine-red crystals of the ketonitronic acid 134386(equation 112). The nitronic acid is quite stable and may be stored for months in a desiccator. I t melts unsharply, ca. 80-85', with decomposition, ultimately forming anthraquinone on continued heating386.O n standing with water or dilute acids it is converted into the nitro form 133 with formation of some a n t h r a q u i n ~ n e ~ The ~ ~ .nitronic acid or its potassium salt can be brominated to form colorless 1O-bromo- 10-nitroanthrone, m.p. 116" 386. Reaction of the silver salt of 134 with methyl iodide produced a resin from which only anthraquinone could be isolateds6. T h e red potassium nitronate salt may be acetylated or benzoylated to produce yellow 10-nitro-9-anthryl acetate (136) or benzoate, 13735.10-Nitro-9-anthrol (135, a n unstable yellow substance, isolable only at -5") was prepared by H a n t z ~ c hby~ ~acidification ~ of the ammonium salt of 134 with hydrogen chloride in ether at Dry Ice temperature; evaporation of the yellow solution gave 135. O n

I . Nitronic Acids and Esters

60

warming to room temperature 135 immediately produced the red nitronic acid 134. IV. N I T R O N I C ACID ESTERS

A. Preparation of Nitronic Acid Esters

T h e various methods available for preparing the rather unstable nitronic acid esters are presented in this section. Acyclic and cyclic esters (e.g. the 2-isoxazoline N-oxides) are considered separately. Certain side reactions which defeat the syntheses are discussed, including C-alkylation of nitronates. 1. Acyclic nitronic acid esters

Three principal methods are available for preparation of acyclic nitronic esters: (u) alkylation of sodium or potassium nitronate salts, (6)alkylation of silver nitronate salts, and (c) reaction of nitroalkanes and nitronic acids with diazomethane. The 0-alkylation of sodium and potassium nitronate salts has The initial product is a been examined extensivelys~23~84~275~387-3g3. nitronic ester (138; equation 113), which may decompose easily under the reaction conditions to form an oxime and a n aldehyde or ketone (equation 114). C-Alkylation may also occur (equation 115). The course of the reaction depends on the structures of the R1R2C=NO,-Naf

+ R3R4CHX d R1R2C=N02CHR3R4 + NaX

(113

(138)

Nitronic ester R1R2C=N0,CHR3K4 +R1R2C=NOH + R3R4C=0 (138) R1R2C=N0,-Na+ R3R4CHX _ j R1R2C(N0,)CHR3R4 NaX

+

+

( 1 14) ( 1 15)

nitronate salt and alkylating agent. Alkylating agents of various types have been employed, including alkyl f l ~ o r o b o r a t e s ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * ~ Nitronic esters sUlfates275,394-396, and halides65.196,387-389.392.393.396.397. prepared by this method are listed in Table 11 (method A). 0-Alkylation with alkyl fluoroborates is the best method when alkali metal nitronate salts are employed23.390*391. In a procedure developed by Kornblum and c ~ w o r k e r s ~ nearly ~ ~ ~ quantitative ~~, yields are obtained in a rapid reaction at 0" (equation 116). R1R2C-N0,-Na+

+ (EtO),BF4

00

+

R1R2C=N02Et Et20 75-9574 R1, R2 = alkyl

+ NaBF4

(116)

ME

161

EZ FZ 60t 'Lot Lot 80t 't6E EZ EZ L o t 't6E 90t-tOt 'Cl

f; i: ca. 8) such as nitromethane, 2-nitrobornane, and 3-phenyl- 1-nitropropane do not react with d i a ~ o m e t h a n e ~ ~ * * ~ * . Q-

+ CH,N,

4-BrC6H,CH,NO, C2HS0,CCH,N02 C,H,COCH=CHCH,NO,

+ CH,N, + CH,N,

4-BrC,H,CH=N02CH, C2H,02CCH=N0,CH, THF __f

+ N, + N,

C,H,COCH=CHCH=NO,CH,

(124)

+N

(28%)

T h e deeply red-colored u-arylazonitronic esters may be prepared by reaction of diazomethane with aldehyde 1-nitrohydrazones. Several of these esters have been prepared by Bamberger and The orange-red hydrazones are coworkers (see Table 1 1)6*295--299. readily prepared in high yield by reaction of nitronate salts with diazonium salts at 0" (see section III.C.l.b)2g3-2es. Some oxime formation accompanies formation of these unstable esterseg8(equation 125). C,H,NHN=CNO,

I

CH, C,H,N=NC=NO,CH,

I

CH, 65%

+ CH&

0" __+

Et,O Several days

+ C,H,N=NCFNOH I

CH, 20%

+ C,H,N=NC=NOCH, I

CH, 6%

(125)

A special method of synthesis of nitronic esters derived from 2,6-di-t-butyl-4-nitrophenol employs a trialkyl phosphite and ethyl

77

1 . Nitronic Acids and Esters

acrylate reacting at room temperature without a solvent (equation 125~)~'~~. OH

0

I1 + (R0)2PCHzCH,C0,C,H,

(1250)

II N

s\

0

OR 28-56% R = CH3, CzH5, i-C3H7

A new, special method of ester preparation is said to involve addition of iodo- or bromotrinitromethane to olefins in a solvent such , e.g. ethylene and iodotrinitroas dimethyl sulfo~ide~QB.4ZZ-423~.~ methane yields 140 (equation 126).

+ IC(NO,),

CH,=CH,

__t

ICH,CH,O,N=C(NO,)z (140)

(126)

However, recent evidence has shown that the reaction in dimethyl sulfoxide does not lead to simple addition compounds of structure 140, but rather to compounds of sulfonium structure 141423a.T h e structure of 141 was proved by synthesis. Dimethyl sulfoxide was CH3

I I

CH3

CH3 0(141)

+ + -O-N=C(NOZ)z

I

+ I

CH3--S-O-N=C(NOz),

CHsO-S+

I

-

I

0-

CH3

methylated with dimethyl sulfate to compound 142 (equation 127). (CH3)ZSO

+ (CH3),S04

room temp.

+

CH,OS(CH,)z; CH,OSO3-

(127)

(142)

Addition of potassium trinitromethane dissolved in dimethoxyethane gave 141 (equation 128). 142

+ K+C(NO,),-

__+

141

+ CH30S0,K

(128)

Nitronic esters have not been prepared by reaction of a nitronic acid with an alcohol.

78

Arnold T. Nielsen

Finally, a comparison of C- and 0-alkylation of nitronate salts should be considered at this point4*"". 'The extent of C- and 0alkylation is known to depend on three principal factors: ( a ) the nature of the leaving group in the alkylating agent, ( b ) the structure of the alkylating agent, and (c) the structure of the nitronate anion. Other factors include nature of the cation and solvent, reaction temperature, and solubility of reactants and products. T h e alkylation of alkali nitronate salts has been studied extensively with substituted benzyl alkylating agents (Table 12 ) 5 ~ 3 1 4 ~ 3 6 6 ~ 3 9 3 ~ 3 9 7 ~ When 4 2 4 - 4 20-alkylation 6n~t'. is the sole reaction, the yield is independent of the nature of the leaving group. However, 2- and 4-nitro substituted benzyl alkylating agents are notably exceptional in their behavior. The extent of C- and 0-alkylation of lithium or sodium propane-2-nitronate salts by 2-0,N- and 4O,NC,H,CH,X does depend on the nature of the leaving group X. Here, 0-alkylation is favored by the best leaving groups. T h e extent of C- and 0-alkylation depends on the structure of the and 2,4-dinitroalkylating agent. 2- and 4-nitrobenzyl benzyl effect principally C-alkylation. However, 3nitrobenzyl chloride and other benzyl halides effect 0-alkylation 0111~393.

I t is to be expected that yields of C- and 0-alkylation products would depend on the structure of the nitronate anion. For example, with 4-nitrobenzyl chloride yields of C-alkylation products are : CH,CH=NO,- (24%) and (CH,),C=NO,- (62%)397. Evidence for radical anion intermediates has been obtained by esr measurements in the C-alkylation with 4-nitrobenzyl chloride314.424-427. The mechanism in this particular case is considered to be a n exchange leading to a radical anion (143) and a nitro radical (144), followed by loss of chloride ion and coupling in a chain process (equations 129-132)314.427. O,NC,H,CH,CI

+ (CH,),C=NO,O,NC,H,CH,CI'

-

O,NC,H,CH,CIA

d

O,NC,H,CH,.

+ (CH,),C=NO,O,NC,H,CH,C(CH,),NO,' + O,NC,H,CH,CI O,NC,H,CH,.

(143)

+ (CH,),NO,.

+ C1-

( 130)

0,NC,H,CH,C(CH3)2N0zi

w

O,NC,H,CH,C(CH,),NO,

(129)

(144)

+ O,NC,H,CH,CI

(131) A

( 1 32)

Supporting this mechanism is the finding that addition of 1,4-dinitrobenzene to this system as a n electron scavenger increases the extent of 0-alkylation from 6 to 88 %.,

I . Nitronic Acids and Esters

7')

I'ABLE 12. Effect of substituents and leaving group on the extent of C- and 0-alkylation

of substituted benzyl alkylating agents reacting with sodium and lithium propane-2nitronate salts.

ArCH2X

-MX

+ (CH.J2C-N02-Mf

__f

M = Li, Na

+

.

+ (CH3),C=NOH -

ArCH2C(CH3)2N02 ArCHO C-Alkylation Product

X

Ar

yk C-AIkylation

1

0-A1kylation I'roduc ts

0,LO-Alkylationa

Ref.

-

4-0,NC6H4

+N(CH3)2 C,CI,CO, c1 OTos Rr I CI CI Br CI

93b 90c 93b 92b 83c 40b 20* 8b 46C 31b Ib

Ob _c

Br

Ob

I CI CI

Ob

33c Ob OC

OTos Br

Ob Ob OC

4-NCC,H4 4-CH30zCC,H4 4-CH3COC,H4 4-(CH3)3N+I-C,H4 4-BrC,H4 4-CF3C,H4 4-CH3C,H4 2-CH3C,H4 a

I Br Br Br I Br Br Br Br

Ob OC

OC OC

OC OC OC

OC

OC

0 0 0 6 1

32 60 86 30 52 98 82 73 80 84 82-84 73 82-84 82-84 73 82-84 70 72 77 68 75 77 70 68-73

424 425 424, 426 424,426 5, 388 424,426 422, 426 424, 426 388 424 424 424 388 424 424 307, 308 424 5 424 424 393 424 5, 393 5,393 5 5 5, 393 5,393 5 393

Determined by yield of aldehyde, ArCHO, or corresponding acid, ArCOZH. Lithium propane-2-nitronate in dimethylformamide a t 0'. Sodium propane-2-nitronate in ethanol at 25-80'.

80

Arnold T. Nielsen

Other C-alkylations with various alkylating agents are known (equations 133-1 36)328,428a.b.429-431. I n these examples, in contrast to the 4-0,NC,H4CH,X example, good leaving groups (Br-, I-,

(C,H,),I+, OTos-

+ R1R2C=N02-,

Na+

DMF ~

--NaOTos

68% f

C,H,I

+ C,,H,C(R’R2)h’0,

58-690,L R1,R2 = H, alkyl, cycloalkyl NO, (CH,),C(X)NO,

+ (CH,),C=NO,-,

(134)uo

I

iYaf

(CH3),CC(CH3), ( 135)328

I

NO, 9yo, x = CI 290,:,, X = Br 430,,,x = I

so,

i?.02

NaH. I)XIt

OTos-) favor C-alkylation. Recently, the reaction of equation 135 has been shown to proceed by a radical-anion chain mechanism314 . 4 z a a The mechanism of silver dinitromethanenitronate alkylation with alkyl halides has been studied in acetonitrile at 25” 401.410-415*418*418. Overall third-order kinetics are observed in a mechanism which involves dinitromethanenitronate anion418(equation 137). With the silver salt C-alkylation is limited to primary halides, including ally1 CH,I

+ (O2N),C=NOZAg

CH,CN

CH,C(NO,), 51%

+ AgI

(137)

and benzyl halides (28-52 % yield)401*418,432. 2-Bromopropane and other secondary, as well as tertiary halides are believed to undergo 0-alkylation ; the resulting nitronic esters decompose to yield alkyl nitrate as the principal anomalous product418. Silver nitrocyanomethanenitronate gave a 58 % yield of nitronic ester by 0-alkylation with methyl iodide (equation 138), but could

1 . Nitronic Acids and Esters

81

also be C-alkylated with t-butyl and ally1 bromides418(equation 139). O,NC=NO,Ag

I

+ CH,I

___+

0,NC=N02CH3

I

+ (CH,),CBr

+ AgI

CN 58 %

CN O,NC=NO,Ag

I

__f

(O,N),CC(CH,),

I

+ AgBr

CN

CN

( 138)

( 139)

17%

C-Alkylation is observed with silver and mercury phenylmethanenitronate and silver a-cyanophenylmethanenitronatewith diphenyl~ . ~ ~ ~140, * ~ ~ ~ , ~ ~ methyl bromide and trityl ~ h l o r i d e ~ ~ (equations 141). NO2

C,H,CH=NO,Hg C,H,C=NO,Ag I

CN

+ (C,H,),CCI

I

__f

C,H,CHC(C,H,),

33-40x

+ (C6H5),CHBr

+ HgCl

(140)

NO2

I

CeH5CCH(C,H,),

I CN 10-18:;

+ C,H,C=NOH + (C,H,),C=O I CN 500;

(141)

I n these particular reactions 0-alkylation predominates with the silver salts leading to the nitronic ester decomposition products oxime and ketone. A generalization for the direction of alkylation of ambident anions has been presented by K ~ r n b l u m I~t ~states ~ . that the greater the SN1 character of the transition state, the greater the preference for bonding to the most electronegative atom in the ambient anion. Because of the instability of nitronic esters it is difficult to test this generalization using the available data on C- vs 0-alkylation of n i t r ~ n a t e s ~ l0-Alkylation ~.~~~. products (nitronic esters) are thermodynamically less stable than the corresponding C-alkylation products. Also, several routes for ester decomposition are available making it difficult to assess the extent of 0-alkylation. With one exception only those nitronic esters having 0-n-alkyl groups are sufficiently stable to be isolable (Table 11) ; those having all other types of groups, including secondary and tertiary 0-alkyl groups, decompose. O n the other hand, stable C-alkylation products have been obtained (usually in low to moderate yields) with a variety of

Arnold T. Nielsen

82

alkylating agents, including those with primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl groups. T h u s , i n making predictions in thermodynamic terms about tlie extent of C- vs 0-alkylation of nitronates, one needs knowledge of the thermodynamic stability of the products and their potential routes of decomposition-as well as a good material balance of reaction products. 2. Cyclic nitronic acid esters

Cyclic nitronic esters corresponding to tlie lactones in the carboxylic acid series are known. Only one type has been in\.estigated extensively, the 2-isoxazoline A-oxides, 145 (Table 13). ’The cyclic esters, unlike tlie acyclic, are rclativcly stable, crystalline solids.

(145)

They are good oxidizing agents, the LV-oxo group being easily removed. Available synthetic routes t o 2-isoxazoline N-oxides proceed from either 3-halo- 1-nitroalkanes or 1,3-~liiiitroalkanes.’The methods were discovered and developed by Koliler and ~ o \ v ~ r k Usually the starting compound is a hlichael-addition deri\red product. ‘The 0-alkylation cyclization reaction to produce ester employs one mole-equi\ralent of a base such as potassium hydroxide, potassium acetate, or diethylamine. For example, benzal malonic ester (146) adds phenylnitromettianc to produce the Michael adduct 147. Bromination of 147 leads to the 3-bromo- 1-nitrcalkane 148, which upon refluxing with ethanolic potassium acetate for 1 11 produces isoxazoline N-oxide 149 i n 90 % yield (equation 142). CGHsCHtNO?

+

/

C G H ~ C H = C ( C O ~ C ~ H ~ ) ~ C H CHCH(CO,C,H5)2 (146)

C6H5CHN02 5~

(‘47)

~

r

~

83

I . Nitronic Acids and Esters

T h e reaction has been extended to 3-bromo- 1,l-dinitroalkanes (Table 13)436. 3-Bromo-1,l-dinitropropane(150) reacts with potassium acetate in water to precipitate 3-nitro-2-isoxazoline-2-oxide (151)436(equation 143).

(151)

84% ; M.p. 96.5'

Use of a 1,3-dinitropropane for cyclic ester synthesis is illustrated with 173-dinitro-1,2,3-triphenyIpropane (152), prepared by Michael addition of phenylnitromethane to ~x-nitrostyrene~~~.~~":'. One equivalent of sodium methoxide converts the dinitro compound to 3,4,5-triphenyl-2-isoxazoline-2-oxide (153) (equation 144). CtjH,CH,NO2

+

C,H5CHzC(N0,)CaH5

NaOCH,

The mechanism of the isoxazoline synthesis from 3-bromoalkane1-nitronates is reasonably a bromide displacement by nitronate oxygen, The mechanism departing from 1,3-dinitroalkanes has been shown not to involve nitroolefin intermediate 154444'1. The reaction occurs by intramolecular displacement of nitrite ion from the mononitronate anion 155 (equation 145)444".

(154)

Cyclic nitronic esters with six-membered rings are available from 4-keto-1-nitroalkanes. As discussed in section III.C.4, 4-keto-1,ldinitropentane is belicved to cyclize in solution, although the pseudo ester 127 was not isolated. Michael addition of a I-nitroalkene to cyclohexane- 1,3-dione anion (156) (sodium methoxide catalyst) leads to the bicyclic nitronic ester 160J06(equation 146).

84

m (D

(0

m

d

d

10 QI

0 m d

m

(D

d

Pi

m

2 W

m

m

0

t

k

o

Y

0 ~

"N

$8 t

0

z

x

z C

x

m W 9

13 m d

10

d

0

"R

".r

W

d

m

W 0

m N

m

-

3

0

U

dx

i?"

z

N

.-l10

t

v

kY

SaOCH3

C,H,CH=C(C,H5)S02 and 4-RrC,H4CH2NOz

l6

C H -Br4

Sitronic ester

TABLE 13-continued

59

45

162

162

442

442

44I

Ref.

60 (total) 443

45

("0)

("C)

162

Yield

M.p.

Eight other examples reported (30-9000 yield) with C,H, replaced by 4-CH30C,H4, 4-HOC6H,, 2-CIC6H4,4-CIC6H,, 2-0,SC6H,, 3-0,SC,H4, 4-02SC,H,, 2-HO-r1aphthyI~~~.

(CH,),NH

C,HSCH=CHN02

Base

SaOCH3

Reactant (s)

~

C,H,CH=C( NOz)C6H5 and C,H,CH2SOz

~~

m m

1 . Nitronic Acids and Esters

Ga, +

RCH=CHNO,

a7

+

(159)

(160a) R = CH, (5296); m.p. 164-166" (160b) R = C,H, (7276); m.p. 165-167'

Cyclic nitronic esters having four, seven, eight, and larger membered rings (homologs of 2-isoxazoline N-oxides) are unknown. Heterocyclic compounds such as isoxazole and oxadiazole N-oxides, etc., may be called cyclic nitronic ester^^^'.^^*. Cyclic nitronic esters are not readily prepared by oxidation of the corresponding desoxy compounds (2-isoxazolines, for examples5)437. B. Physical Properties of Nitronic Acid Esters Melting points of nitronic esters are listed in Tables 11 and 13. The ultraviolet spectra of a few nitronic esters have been rep0rted2~.401.402.409,~49. None representing the simple aliphatic type, (alkyl),C=N02R are available, but these would be expected to have strong rr - T * bands near 220-230 m p like the parent nitronic acids (see section 1II.B). Several a-nitro acyclic and cyclic esters (e.g. 161, 162) have been examined in methylene chloride at 5" and in water s o l ~ t i o n s They ~ ~ ~ all ~ ~ have ~ ~ . strong absorption of ca. 3 15-320 m p ; the corresponding nitronate anions absorbed at wavelengths 25-50 m p higher402. The extinction coefficient in the spectrum of unstable ethyl nitroformate (161) was obtained by extrapolation to zero t i r e . (O,N),C=NO,C,H,

Arnold T. Nielsen

88

The spectra of the high-melting, presumably trans isomers of nitronic esters 163a and 164 reveal intense absorption near 300 mp23. T h e solutions are unstable; the half-life of 164 in 9 5 % ethanol at 19" is ca. 7 daysz3. The half-life of 163a in deuteriochloroform at room temperature is ca. 2 daysz3. 4-02NC6H4 \ H

/

0

C=N

\

0

4-BrC,H4

\ C=Nr

f

OR

H

(trans) (163a) R = C,H,; m.p. 100-101' 240 m p (9300) 337 m p (17,600) (163b) R = CH,; m.p. I18-12Oo

/

'~ OCH,

(trans) (164) M.p. 66.5-67.5'

)~~~'~'

a

T h e ultraviolet spectra of a-keto nitronic esters (165, 96) have been reported; that of 165 resembles that of nitrone 166414. (cH3)2y'J40

(CH3)z

N O ~ C ( C ~ H ~ )dJ

AEt,O

C

o

H

I

0-

5

(96) 310 m p (7950)'!::A 358 m p (3740)

(165)

msx 288 m p (13,900)

(166) 280 m,u (17,500)

The infrared spectra of nitronic esters reveal intense C=N absorption in the region 1610-1660 cm-1 23.178.408. This is within the C=N absorption region of nitroiiic acids (1620-1680 cm-l) and oximes (1640--1685cm-l); see section III.B.1.(1). Examination of the n.m.r. spectra of certain nitronic esters permits stereochemical as~ignments2~.2~~. Like oximes, nitronic esters exist in two geometric forms. Two forms of ester 168 have been isolated by reaction of nitroolefin 167 (presumably trans) with diazomethane213 (equation 147). Both produce the same oxime 169 by 4-BrC,H,CO

H

\

/

H /=\ CH,NO, (167) M.p. 91"

4-BrC6H4 CHP,

\

/

/

\

C-c

H

H

CH=N02CH3 (168a) 277;; M.p. 114' (168b) 350,;; M.p. 128'

--CH,O

Heat

I . Nitronic Acids and Esters

H

4-BrC6H4 \

/

/

\

‘c=c’

H

89

(147)

CH=NOH

(169) M.p. 164’

(one isomer only from 1688 or 168b)

heating in t0luene2~~ and are believed to be isomeric about the C=N bond, i.e. cis and trans forms of the nitronic ester. The n.m.r. spectra of nitronic esters prepared from primary nitro compounds exhibit vinyl hydrogen peaks near 6.0 6 for alkyl R in RCH=N0,C2HS, and near 7.0 6 (singlet) for aryl R (CDCI, solvent)23. A mixture of cis and trans isomers is indicated in crude ester samples by noticeable splitting of these peaks. For example, one isomer (probably trans) of methyl 4-nitrophenylmethanenitronate (163b), m.p. 118-120°, has a sharp vinyl singlet at 7.20 6, whereas crude ester, m.p. 100-108”, clearly containing a mixture of cis and trans forms, exhibits vinyl singlets at 7.20 and 6.92 623. Similar observations were made with the 4-bromo compound 164. Pure samples of the other (probably lower-melting, cis) isomers of 163b and 164 were not isolated; these isomers were observed (by n.m.r.) to be much less stable than the trans isomers; the half-life of cis-164 is estimated at ca. 40 min in deuteriochloroform at room temperaturez3. C. Reactions of Nitronic Acid Esters

Reactions of the rather unstable nitronic esters parallel those of nitronic acids. The same products often are formed from both substances under similar reaction conditions. Hydrolysis under acidic conditions can lead to Nef products or hydroxamic acids. Nitronic esters are good oxidizing agents, are easily reduced, and participate in auto-oxidation-reduction reactions, the most important of these being a disproportionation to an oxime and an aldehyde or ketone. Diene addition, a reaction not yet observed with nitronic acids, leads to 1,2-isoxazolidines with nitronic esters. 1. Hydrolysis of nitronic esters

I t seems remarkable that hydrolysis of a nitronic ester to produce an isolable nitronic acid directly (equation 148) has never been

90

Arnold T. Nielsen

observed. Surprising also is the fact that the reverse reaction, synthesis of a nitronic ester from an alcohol and a nitronic acid, has R1R2C=N0,R3

+ H,O

R1R2C=-N02H

+ R30H

(148)

not been found. It has been possible, however, to hydrolyze certain nitronic esters (those which form stabilized nitronate anions) to nitroalkanes and a l ~ o h o l s Either ~ ~acidic ~ ~ or basic ~ ~ catalysts have been employed (equations 149-152). CgH&OCH=N02CH3

+ H2O

HCI __f

(149)3Q4 C~HSCOCH~NO~+CH~O H

yo2

yo2

0 ~ N 0 ~ C , I + i 6H 2 0

H O e N O z

+

C,H,OH

No,

No,

O,NC(CN)=NO,CH,

+ H,O

NaOH

50'

HC(NO,),CN

(1 5 0 p

+ CH,O + NO,"

(151)414 (152)401

Ethyl acetamidomethanenitronate reacts with ammonia or silver nitrate to form nitronate salts403*407 (equations 153, 154). H,NCOCH=NO,C,H, H,NCOCH=NO,C,H,

+ NH, +H,NCOCH=NO,-NH,+ + C,H,OH (153) + AgNO, H,NCOCH=NO,Ag + HNO, + C,H,OH __+

( 154)

Acid hydrolysis of nitronic esters under Nef reaction conditions produces aldehydes and ketones (Table 14)222. With aliphatic nitronic esters the products and product yields are virtually the same as those obtained from the corresponding nitronic acids (generated from nitronate sa1ts)47*222~22g. For example, either sodium butane-2nitronate or ' ethyl butane-2-nitronate produces 2-butanone in 81-82 %yield when treated with 4Nsulfuric a c i d 2 2 2 ~(equation ~~~ 155). C H C=NO C H

'I

CH3

2 2

dil. H,SO, 5 8 1 %

dil. H,SO,

C2H,COCH3 -t

82 70

C H C=NO,-Na+ CHS

(155)

~

~

~

With 10:;

’With 2 17;

a

H,SO,. H,SO,.

CH,CH2C(CH,)=N0,-Naf

CH,CH,CH,CH=NO,-Na+

CH3CH,CH=NOz-Na+ (CH,) 2C=S0,-Naf

CH,CH=NO,-iiaf

4-BrC6H,CHNOz-Naf 4-0,NC,H,CH=S02-Na+

Nitronate salt

(CH,),C=SO,Et , CH,CH,CH,CH=NO,Et CH,CH,C(CH,)=SO,Et

CH,CH=NO,Et CH,CH,CH=NO,Et

4-O,NC,H4CH=NO,Et

4-BrC,H,CH=NO,Et

Nitronic ester

(7;)

I\

\

(“6)

CH,CH,CH,COSHOH (4)b\ CH,CH,COCH, (81)229

CH,COSHOH ( 2 ) b CH,CH,CHO (80),’ (CH,),C=O (84),’ CH,CH,CH,CHO (70)

4-BrC6H,CH,S0, (90)’ 4-0,SC6H4CH,S02 (93) CH,CHO (85)

Products with 4N H2S0,

B. Reactions of nitronate salts with sulfuric acid

(CH3)zCO (72) CH,CH,CH,CHO (good) CH,CH,COCH, (81)

4-0,SC,H4COSHOH (6)j CH,CHO (67) CH,CH,CHO (good)

4-BrC,H,CONHOH (12) 4-0,SC6H,CH0 (80-82)

4-BrC,H,CHO (65)

Products with 4N H,SO,

A. Reactions of nitronic esters with sulfuric acid

(63)

(96)

(76)

(42)

CH,CH,CH,COSHOH

CH,CONHOH (45)

(28)

4-BrC,H,COSHOH (29) 4-0,SC,H4COSHOH (86)

Products with 31NH,SO,

CH,CH,CH,CONHOH -

-

CH,COSHOH (41) -

4-0,SC6H,COSHOH (98)

4-BrC,H,COSHOH

Products with 31N H,SO,

TABLE 14. Reaction of nitronic esters and nitronate salts with sulfuric acidz2.

2

92

Arnold T. Nielsen

O n the other hand, 4-nitrophenylmethanenitronic acid does not undergo the Nef reaction (equation 156). Yet, its ethyl ester yields the Nef product, 4-nitrobenzaldehyde (80-82 %) under the same conditions222 (equation 157). A similar observation is made with 4-bromophenylmethanenitronic acid222. 02NC6H4CH=N02-H+ 02NC6H4CH=N02Et

dil. H,SO,

dil. H,SO,

02NC6H,CH2N02 93%

(156)

02NC6H4CH0

(157)

80-8270

These results indicate a mechanism with aromatic nitronic esters (and probably with all nitronic esters) which does not involve a nitronic acid intermediate and does not involve prior hydrolysis of the ester to a nitronic acid. As pointed out by Kornblum222,a protonated nitronic ester must be involved. Hydration of this species 170, followed by loss of alcohol, would yield carbonyl compound by a mechanism (equations 158-160) like that of the Nef; compare section 1II.C.la. R'

\ C=Nr

0

R' +H+-

\

o/

/

\

C=N

R2

R'

\

o/

C=N

$.

H,O

(158) 0C2H6

(170)

R'

OH

OH

o/ I\

\ + C-N /I

OH ( 159)

R2 OH H OCzH5

-,

+

R'

\ /

+ CzHoOH + H+ + HNO

C=O

(160)

R2

The observation that nitroalkanes are not usually obtained by acid hydrolysis of nitronic esters suggests that the rate of acid hydrolysis of protonated ester 171 to nitronic acid (equation 161) is usually slower than the 'ester Nef' reaction (equations 159, 160). The acidR'

\

/

R2

0

r

C=N

\ @?CIH5 H

(171)

+ H2O

R'

\

/C=N\ R2

r

0

+ CzHsOH @OH

I

H

(161)

93

1. Nitronic Acids and Esters

catalyzed hydrolysis of a-ketonitronic esters to a-ketonitroalkanes (equations 149-151) may be particular and proceed by a mechanism involving a protonated carbonyl group; formation of a resonance , also facilitates these stabilized nitronate anion RIC-C-N-0-

[ I I 1~

reactions. 0 R2 0 Hydroxamic acids are formed in concentrated sulfuric acid (31N ) from both aliphatic and aromatic nitronic esters (equation 162) ; yields (higher with aromatics) are comparable to those obtained from nitronic acids (via nitronate salts) (Table 14)222.However, in PrCH=N02Et 4-02NC6H4CH=N0,Et

Concd H,SO,

PrCONHOH

____t

Concd H,SO,

(427;)

(162)

4-OzNC6H4CONHOH (98%)

____t

dilute (4N) sulfuric acid solution a difference in behavior is noted between nitronic esters and nitronic acids in forming hydroxamic acids. In the more dilute acid aliphatic nitronic acids form hydroxamic acids, but aromatic ones do not. The opposite is true of the nitronic esters. I n 4 N sulfuric acid solution aliphatic nitronic esters do not, but aromatic nitronic esters do form hydroxamic acids. This difference in behavior between nitronic acids and esters in yet another acid-catalyzed reaction suggests, as in the ‘ester Nef’ reaction (equations 158-160), a mechanism which does not require a nitronic acid intermediate. In a nitrile oxide mechanism (see section 1II.C. 1) the protonated ester 170 could lose alcohol, ultimately forming a protonated nitrile oxide 172, which hydrates to the hydroxamic acid (equation 163). The formation, in 4N sulfuric acid, of more hydroxamic acid from aliphatic nitronic acids than R

H

\



OH

o/

C=N

RC=NOH@

‘OC,H, (170)

RC=NOH@ (172)

-

+ H,O

+ C,H,OH

(172)

H+

+ RCONHOH

(163)

from aliphatic nitronic esters (which form aldehydes) is readily explained by assuming that 170 is more stable (forms nitrile oxide GI

,

more slowly) than the corresponding intermediate, RCH=N(OH) (173), obtained from the acid. The assumed relatively greater stability of 170 over 173 also explains the observed formation of hydroxamic acids from aromatic nitronic esters, and the absence of

Arnold T. Nielsen

94

formation of hydroxamic acids from the corresponding aromatic nitronic acids (which tautomerize to nitroalkanes) under the same conditions in 4 N sulfuric acid. A hydroxamic acid 175 has been prepared from a nitronic ester (174) in a basic medium; a nitrile oxide intermediate has been postulated for this r e a ~ t i o n " (equation ~ 164).

(175)

Hydrogen chloride should add to nitronic esters-as it does to nitronic acids-to yield chloronitroso compounds or hydroxamic acid chlorides (section 1II.C.la). Methyl dicarbomethoxymethanenitronate (176) produces oxides of nitrogen and a blue color (possibly compound 177; not isolated) when treated with aqueous hydrogen (equation 165).

+ HC1

(CH,O,C),C==NO,CH,

-

+ CH,OH

(CH,O,C),CNO

(176)

I

Cl

(165)

(177)

(not isolated)

The addition of hydrogen chloride to ethyl carbethoxymethanenitronate leads to the hydroxamic acid chloride 181. Addition probably proceeds, as with nitronic acids, through a protonated ester 178 and an HC1 adduct 179 which loses ethanol to form a chloronitroso compound 180. Rearrangement of 180 would yield the hydroxamic acid chloride product, 181 (equation 166). Et0,C

Et0,C

\

H

/A

\

C-N

o/

OH

+ HCI +

OH

C-N

Et0,C

@/

-C,H,OH

I\

-H

1 H OC,H,

Et0,C

+

\

\

OH C-N

@/

-

Et0,C

\

/

CI

C=NOH

1. Nitronic Acids and Esters

95

Since electrophilic additions to nitronic acids (section II1.C. 1b) appear to involve the nitronate anion in acid solution, no reactions of this type are to be expected for nitronic esters. None are found. Reactions of ethyl and methyl acetamidomethanenitronate with aqueous bromine are reported to produce 1-bromonitronic esters [H,NCOC(Br)=NO,R; R = CH,, C,H,], solids which decomposc slowly at room temperature403. The possibility also exists, however, that these products are N-bromo derivatives, BrNHCOCH =NO,R. 2. Oxidation and reduction reactions of nitronic acid esters

Nitronic esters, like nitronic acids, are good oxidizing agents. They are easily reduced to oximes. Only a few reducing agents have been employed in reactions with nitronic esters. Reaction of nitronic esters with added oxidizing agents apparently has not been studied. Hydrogen iodide reduces nitronic esters to oximes with formation of iodine394.412 (equation 167). The reaction may involve an addition

+ 2 HI

C H C=NO,CH,

'I

d

C H C=NOH 5~

+ CH30H + I,

CN

CN

(1671

of hydrogen iodide, followed by loss of alcohol to yield a transient iodonitroso compound ; reduction of this product by hydrogen iodide would yield the oxime. Unlike the reduction of nitronic acids with hydrogen iodide27s,the reaction rate is quite variable and is not cleanly quantitative. Arndt and Rose394observed that when esters are treated with concentrated hydriodic acid, the number of equivalents of iodine formed, and the rate of reaction, varied with the structure of the ester: 4-CH3C6H4S0,CH=N0,CH, reacted exothermically to liberate 2-2.5 equivalents of iodine ; C,H,CH=N 0 , C H 3 reacted on warming to produce 0.5 equivalent, and (CH,O,C),C=NO,CH, produced 4.36-4.38 equivalents. No iodine was formed when 4-BrC,H,CH=NO,CH, was treated with cold colorless azeotropic hydroiodic Although reduction of a nitronic acid to a n amine appears not to have been described, nitronic esters have been so reduced. Methyl a-cyanophenylmethanenitronate (182) is hydrogenated (platinum, acetic anhydride) completely to phenyl- 1,2-diaminoethane, isolated as the bisacetyl derivative 183*11(equation 168). C H C=NO,CH,

CN (182)

Ha,Pt Ac,O

C H CHCHzNHAc

61

NHAc (193)

(168)

Arnold T. Nielsen

96

Hydrogenation of keto ester 174 led to triphenyl carbinol and a mixture of epimeric amino alcohols 184414(equation 169).

86 %

(184) Epirners

(174)

An auto-oxidation-reduction reaction of nitronic esters is one of their most important and characteristic properties. I t is the disproportionation of the nitronic ester to form an oxime and an aldehyde or ketone (Table 15) and is of synthetic utility for preparing each of these products. The reaction proceeds by heating in solution in various solvents, or, in the absence of solvents (equations 170-1 72). I t appears to have been discovered by Nef (1894)150404.Yields, EiOH

C,H,COCH=CHCH=NO&H,

Rcflux 3-4 h

f

C,H,COCH=CHCH=NOH 80% C,H5N=NC(CH3)=N02CH,

Ha0 t Rcflux 3 min

C,H,N=NC(CH,)=NOH 9076 C H C=N02CH3

' ' 1CN

100"

10h

' '1

C H C=NOH

+ CH,O

( 170)213

+ CH,O

(171)298

+ CH,O

86%

CN 50%

( I72)197

although seldom reported, generally appear to be very good. The reaction is not limited to the few types of stable nitronic esters. I t is also observed with esters generated in situ. Alkylations of nitronic acids or nitroalkanes with diazomethane, alkyl fluoroborates, or alkyl halides can produce oximes. The synthetic value of the reaction applied to simple esters (methyl, ethyl) lies in oxime synthesis (e.g. equation 173)419;cf. Table 15 for other examples.

0 0 0

€1~0, CH,N,GH,

a 0

( 1 73)4'9

I . Nitronic Acids and Esters

97

Preparation of aldehydes and ketones from nitronic esters generated in situ is important s y n t h e t i ~ a l l y ~ ~ ~ ~An 3 ~ 3alkali ~ ~ ~ Qor ~ ~ silver ~~. nitronate reacts with a primary or secondary alkyl halide in a solvent such as ethanol, usually at reflux temperature (equations 174-1 76). C,H,C(CN)=NO,Ag

+ 4-02NC6HpCH,Br C,H,C(CN)=NOH 800,;

+

+ 4-O2NC,H4CHO 80”/b

( 1 74)3*’

BrCH2COCH3 NOH

97 % (176)m

I t is possible to examine the scope of this reaction since many examples are known (Table 16). The reaction has been developed The customary procedure involves as a synthetic method392.393*450. preparation of a nitronate salt from the nitroalkane and sodium ethoxide in ethanol, followed by addition of the halide. A short period of heating under reflux (1-3 h) is usually sufficient to complete the reaction. Yields of both carbonyl compound and oxime are usually excellent. Side reactions seem to present no difficulties and are seldom encountered. The range of structural variations allowed in nitro compound and halide is quite large. Primary and secondary nitroalkanes seem equally effective. Yieldsof aldehydes (from primary halides) appear to equal those of ketones from secondary halides. Aliphatic, alicyclic, and arylalkyl halides and nitronate salts have been employed with equal success. The method has been employed successfully in the synthesis of 1,2-dicarbonyl compounds from a-halo Although alkali metal salts have been employed in most studies, silver salts are equally e f f e c t i ~ e ~ ~ * ~ ~ ’ * ~ l ~ . What appears to be the first example of the reaction, due to Nef15, employed silver 1-nitroethanenitronate and ethyl iodide to yield acetaldehyde and a-nitroacetaldoxime. T h e mechanism of the disproportionation of nitronic esters to carbonyl compounds has been Generally, the reaction

N, 0)-C,H, NOH

H,O, 50-60'

390

394

394

4-BrC6H,C0,H C,H5CH0 CH,O

none, 25-100'

150; HCl, 100'

394

,390

4 - B r C ~ H d r x S,0&C6H4-Br-4

51-79

86

150,; HCI, 100'

NOC,H,b

0

D i i O H

390

15, 405, 406 394

Ref.

394

H,O, 60-70'

)=S02C2H,b

-

20

(700)

Yield

CH,CHO 4-BrC6H4CH=SOH CH,O

H,O, 60-70'

(CH,) ,C=NO,C,H,"

H,SCOC(CS)=SOH CH,CHO C,H,O,CCH=SOH CH,O (CH,),C=SOH CH,CHO

Products

none, 80'

none, bjo

C,H,O,CCH=SO,CH,

4-BrC6H4CH= SO,CH,

H,O, heat

..

H,SCOC(CS)=-S02C2H5

~-

Sitronic ester

Solvent, Temp., ("C)

ABLE 15. Decomposition of nitronic esters.

00 W

none, 25’

H,O, 100’

4-BrC6H,CH=S0,C,H5

4-CIC6H4S,C(CH3)=N0,CH3

EtOH, 80’

EtOH, warm

4-CH,OC,H,COCH=CHCH=SO,CH,

W

NOZCH,

r

EtOH, 80’

4-BrC6H,COCH=CHCH=N0,CH,

B

toluene, I 10’

C,H5C(CS)=CHCH=N0,CH3

none, 120-140°

H,O, 100’

2,1-C12C,H3S,C(CH,)=S0,CH,

H =SO& H 3

H,O, 100’

2,4,6-CI,C6HzS,C(CH,)=S0,CH,

NOH

Br

4-CH30C6H,COCH=CHCH=SOH CH,O

4-BrC6H,COCH=CHCH=NOH CH,O

C,H,C(CN)=CHCH=SOH CH,O

a$fH=xoH

4-BrCcH47-S C 6 H .IBr-4 S, CH,CHO 4-CIC,H4S,C(CH,)=NOH CH,O

CH,CHO 2,4,~-CI,C,H,X.,C(CH3)=~~H CH,O 2 ,4-~1,C,H,S,C (CH,)=SOH Ct1,O

NOCZH,”

_.

70-80 -

70-80 -

58 -

-

-

-

60

-

7-19

(continurd)

2 04

213

213

191

420

298

23

299

229

iD W

*

@J 0

*

10

@J

I

I

W

1

6

u C

. I

2

Y

w m

c3"

-

0

m 0

0 0

0

I

0 N

0

0

0 0 W

(CH,) ,C=NO,-Na+

Nitronate salt R1R2C===N0,-, M+

C=NO,-,

+

R4

/

\

CHX

+

R4

Br

Br Br Br Br Br I Br

CH,E : r H O

80

77 70 70 72 90 61 68 75

(continued)

392

5,388,393 5, 388, 393, 450 5, 388, 393 5, 388, 393 5, 388 5, 388 450 392 5,388 392

4-F3CC,H,CHO 4-iXCC,H4CH0 4-CH,C6H,CH0 4-CH,02CC6H4CH0 3,4-(CH202)C,H3CH2COCH3 OHCC (CH,) =CHC=CCH=C (CH,) CHO 4-[ (CH,),N+I-]C,H,CHO (CH3)2C=CHCH2!2H2C(CH~)=CHCH0

450

392

Ref.

30

54

(70)

Yield

Rr

+ MX

70 73

~ 3 ~ 4 - 0

\ C=O /

4-BrC,H4CH0 C,H,CHO

0

R2

/

GNOH

\

Aldehyde or ketone, H k C C (CH,)=CHCHO

M+

Br CI

Br

Alkyl halide R3R4CHX; X =

R2

/

\

TABLE 16. Synthesis of aldehydes and ketones from in situ generated nitronic esters. R' R3 R' R3

z

CH,O CH,CHO CH,COCHO (CH,),C=O C2H50,CCH0

I Br Br Br, I Cl

Br

C,H5CH0

Cl

C,H,CHO 4-NCC,H4CH0 2,4-(CH,O) ,C,H,CHO (C6H5)2C=0

C,H,CHO

n-C,,,H,,CHO CH,COC (CH,)=CHC=CCH=C (CH,) COCH, (CH,),C=CHCH,CH,C(CH3)=CHCH2CH,)=CHCH0

C,H,C (CN)=NO,-Na+

NO2- KC

Aldehyde or ketone, R3R4C=0

(CH,),C=C(CH,)CH,CH,C(CH,)=CHCHO

n-CsHlsCHO

C,H,C (CN)=NO,Ag

CI

Br Br Br Br Br

Alkyl halide R’R’CHX; X =

CI CI CI Br

C,H,CH=PiO,-Na+

NO*-X~+

0

Nitronate salt R~R~c=No,-, M+

Table 16-continurd

84 84 308

84

387

387 387 387 417

389

450 392 450 392 392

84 84 308 84 84

-

97

-

(\*cry good)

-

77 -

69

46 85 56 -

(yo) Ref.

Yield

c

z

I . Nitronic Acids and Esters

103

appears to proceed more rapidly, and in higher yield, in a solvent than without a solvent. A slightly basic medium ( p H 7-9) favors the reaction. A strongly basic medium is avoided to minimize selfcondensation of the aldehyde or ketone products. Heating a nitronic ester with acids leads to a different reaction, formation of a n alcohol rather than aldchydes or ketones (section IV.C.l). These observations agree with a mechanism, suggested by Kornblum, involving base attack at the a-carbon of the alkyl groupz3(equations 177-179). R' B:+

\

/

f C=N

\

R2

0

---+ OCHR3R4

Rl

\ C=Nr /

R2

R'

/

0

\G OCR3R4

+ BH+

(177)

R'

0

\

C=NO-

\o

/

OCR3R4

C=NO-

/

R2

+ R3R4C=0

( I 78)

+ B:

( 1 79)

R2

R' \

\ C=Nr

R' ,\ C=NOH

+ BH+

/

R2

R2

However, the rate of decomposition of alkyl 3,5-di-t-butyl-4-oxo2,5-cyclohexadiene nitronates is not base-catalyzed, and a cyclic intramolecular decomposition mechanism has been suggested.421n. Variations of the nitronic ester disproportionation reaction can lead to products other than aldehydes, ketones, and oximes. Epoxides react with nitronates (lithium ethoxide catalyst) to produce oxime ethers (e.g. 185) when an excess of epoxide is employed; the expected a-hydroxy aldehydes were not isolated451 (equation 180). Amides have been prepared by reaction of nitroalkanes with amine~*~O (equation 181). C,H,C(CH,)=NO,-

+ CH,CHCH,

Yexcess

LiOEt

d EtOH

+ CH,CHOHCHO

(180)

+ C6H5CON(CH3)2+ (CH,),NH

(181)

C2H5C(CH3)=NOCH,CHOHCH3 (185) 39% (CH3)2CHN02

+

(not isolated)

EtOH C6H5CH[N(CH3)212

(CH,),C=NOH

94 %

Heating methyl 4-toluenesulfonylmethanenitronateproduces 4-tolyl thiocyanate and carbon dioxide, but no formaldehyde394 (equation

Arnold T. Niclscn

104

182). Heating methyl dicarbomethoxymethanenitronate with aqueous sodium hydroxide produced methanol, carbonate, and fulminate (isolated as the silver salt)3Q4(equation 183) 950

4-CH3C6H4SOzCH=N02CH, (CH,O~C)ZC=NO,CH,

+ CO, + 2 H 2 0 + CO,= + C=NO-

4-CH3C6H4SC=N

+ CH,OH Heat Aq. NaOH

(182) (183)

The formation of stilbenes from what appear to be in situ-generated nitronic esters has been o b ~ e r v e d *(equations ~ - ~ ~ ~ 184, 185). 2 4-BrC6H4CH=N02-Na+ 2 C H C=NO,-Na+

"1

-

EtOH + CH31 + 4-BrC6H4CH=CHC6H4-4-Br Heat

+ (CH,),SO,

CN

CH,OH. NaOH

C H C=CC6Hs

25", 3 weeks

6

5

I

(184) (185)

~

CN CN

Nitronic esters of tertiary alcohols cannot disproportionate to form aldehydes or ketones. Such nitronic esters are reported to form in situ in hot ethanol solution from potassium fluorene-9-nitronate (186) and tertiary bromides (t-butyl bromide, 2-bromo-2-phenylThese esters were not propane, and triphenylchloromethane)84~z'J5. isolated. The products actually isolated are the same as those derived from fluorene-9-nitronic acid (see section III.C.2), namely fluorenone oxime (77) and the 1,2-dinitroethane 76 (equation 186). When t-butyl bromide was a reactant, isobutylene was isolated as the dibromide.

(76) 6876

(186)

NOH

+

3 (CH,),C=CH?

+

H,O 50% (as dibromide)

+

3 K B r (186)

(77) 2 1 %

Keto ester 165 is isomerized by heating a t 125" in xylene to form oxaziran 187 in the first example of such a conversion into this valence bond isomer of a nitronic esterP14.452(equation 187). The

1. Nitronic Acids and Esters

I05

conjugated carbonyl band of the nitronic ester at 1724 cm-l is

0

(187) 33%;

(165) M.p. 149-15Z0

VEZ: 1724

M.p. 176-177' ,,ern-'

1751

shifted to 1751 cm-l by the rearrangement. The extent to which oxaziran intermediates are involved in nitronic acid and ester chemistry is yet to be determined453. The conversion of the related (equanitrones into oxazirans is known; e.g. 188 + 189a1~24-454*455 tion 188).

3. 1,3-Dipolar addition reactions of nitronic acid esters

Nitronic esters undergo 1,3-dipolar addition to olefins, a reaction di~covered45~ and developed by Tartakovskii and COworkers398~400*436~4~6-4@J. The products are stable, often crystalline, 2-alkoxyisoxazolidines (Table 17). A wide variety of olefins have been added to methyl dinitromethanenitronate (190). The reactions are conducted under mild conditions-room temperature in methylene chloride or without solvent. Yields are good to excellent in most examples (equations 139, 190; Table 17). (0,N)2C=N0,CH3

+

CH,=CH,

CH CI

2 20'

(190)

( 0 2 N ) 2 q J

CH~O'

73%; B.p. 66' (0.33mrn)

46%; M p . 96O

(189)

W

m

h m

w

co

wco

m w- lw o rnd

W W

d

2 U

Om

z U

EN h

co cn m

m

m m

w-u(0 m )

W

h N

m-

I? L:

8

3-

8 3II

z*

8

N "

II

107

m

m

m

m 03

m 00

. W I

N 0

m

D

m

co m m

0 0

+N .

N

m

10

I

I

W

-i-

W

m

m d

0

r;

d

2-

*-

.Y $?

a) In

*

W 10

d

x

W

v) W

9

d

2

IW

Xn V

u

Y

a

2

&

4,o'nx

2w

Yi C

b

L

c

c)

u

.I

C

.-2

c)

2

u

a

Prepared in situ.

C6H6CH=N02CH3

CH,=CHC,H,

CH2=CHC02CH3

CH,=CHCN

CH2=CHC6H,

CH2=CHC0&H3

46

64

90

456, 457

458

458

CGH,

45 7

456

34

-

cGHw

:TLC02CH, CH30

'

C H

CGH5'-LCS / N.O CH 3 0

EtOzC-7

CH

Et 0 , C

Arnold T. Nielsen

110

The reaction has been extended to cyclic nitronic esters as in the (equation 191). preparation of bicyclic 191436*456,458a

mNo2 0'

\*o

t CH,=CH,

NO2

---+

& J

N.

(191)

('91)

The scope of the reaction appears large, but has not been completely defined since relatively few nitronic esters have been employed. The required nitronic esters, some of which are very unstable (e.g. 190)) may be generated conveniently in situ. Thus, the reaction is not limited to the few stable nitronic esters. The reaction has failed in certain reported instances. The reaction of methyl phenylmethanenitronate with styrene failed to yield an isoxazolidineP5'. 2-Alkoxyisoxazolidine products having a hydrogen in the 3-position may eliminate alcohol to form a 2-isoxazoline; for example, in the reaction of methyl nitromethanenitronate with styrene the product was 192400(equation 192).

(not isolated)

(192)

34y0

T h e structure of the adducts derived from unsymmetrical olefins has been established in a few i n s t a n ~ e s ~ ~ Vinyl ~ , ~ ~compounds 0*~~~. (CH,=CHR) examined thus far add so that the R group appears in the 5-position. Hydrolysis of 193 with dilute sulfuric acid led to @-benzoylacetic acid, thereby establishing the 3,5-relationship of phenyl and c a r b ~ m e t h o x y '(equation ~~ 193).

(193)

T h e addition of methyl phenylmethanenitronate (194) to benzaldoxime (195) led readily to 3,5-diphenyl-l,2,4-oxadiazole (197), which is also formed slowly from 194 on standing4b7.Since oximes form readily from nitronic esters (equation 194), the formation of

I . Nitronic Acids and Esters

Ill

oxadiazoles from certain nitronic esters on tand ding^^.^,' appears to be simply an addition of product to reactant. The intermediate 196 demethanolates and dehydrates to yield the oxadiazole 197 (equation 195) C6H5CH=N0,CH3

___+

C,H,CH==NOH

(194)

+ CH,O

(195)

C e H 5 7 NOH C,H,CH=NO,CH,

+ C,H,CH=NOH

(194)

L

(194)

] -"F*

7 . 0 / L ~ 6 ~ 5

o

(159)

(195)

(196)

C~H~FS N,OILCtH

3

('97)

The demethanolation of a 2-methoxyisoxazolidine has been shown to be acid-cataly~ed'~~, thus offering an explanation for the observed facile conversion of nitronic esters into oxadiazoles in hot hydrochloric (equation 196). An alternate acid-catalyzed 15% HCI

2 4-BrC6H4CH=N0&H3

Rcflux Jmin.

4-BrCoH47--N N.o,!&6Hp13r-1

(196)

mechanism could involve formation of a nitrile oxide intermediate from the nitronic ester (see section III.C.l.a), followed by addition of the oxime400. Diene addition of nitrile oxides to olefins has been r e p ~ r t e d ~(equation ~ ' , ~ ~ ~197). ArCH=N0,CH3 ATCENO

+

ArCH=NOH

--+

H+ ___+

ArCzNO

+ CH,OH

rArT-fr ] a ArKJAr (197)

V. N I T R O N I C ACID DERIVATIVES OTHER T H A N ESTERS A. Nitronic Acid Salts

Salts of nitronic acids may be prepared by reaction of bases with nitronic acids. However, they are usually most readily prepared from nitroalkanes, employing a suitable solvent. Unlike most nitroalkanes, nitronic acids are soluble in sodium bicarbonate solution.

Arnold T. Nielsen

112

Many nitronate salts are shock sensitive explosives, and are particularly hazardous when anhydrous. The alkali metal salts are useful for purifying and isolating nitronic acids and nitroalkanesl. Properties of salts of polynitroalkanes have been reviewed460. Several metal cations have been employed in the preparation of nitronate salts. The sodium and potassium salts are the most comm ~ n these ~ are ~ prepared ~ ~ ~by treatment ~ ; of a nitroalkane with aqueous sodium or potassium hydroxide, or the ethanolic metal ethoxides (equation 198).

+ KOH

R1R2CHN0,

R1R2C=N0,-K+

+ II,O

(198)

T h e usually colorless mononitronate salts often precipitate from cold solutions and may be isolated by filtration339.Alkali metal salts of 1, I-dinitroalkanes are yellow and often less solqble than mononitronateslS4. The potassium salts are less soluble than sodium salts. Several heavy metal salts are known, the most common being ~ ~ insoluble, ~ ~ ~ ~largely ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ silver, mercury, and ~ o p p e r ~ These covalent compounds may be prepared from the alkali salts by metathesis (equation 199) R1R2C=N02-Na+

+ AgNO,

R1R2C=N0,AgL

+ NaN0,

(199)

The silver salts are employed for nitronic ester synthesis (Table 11, method B, in section IV.A.l). The silver salt of nitroform exists in colorless and yellow modifications suggesting the possibility of CAg and OAg forms147s415.Insoluble mercury methanenitronate ~ ~ * ~ ~ 200). ~ decomposes to form mercury f ~ l m i n a t e(equation 2 CH,=NO,-Na+

H&I,

(CH,=NO,),Hg

-2

H,O

Hg(ON=C),

(200)

The qualitative test for nitronic acids employs aqueous ferric . ~ ~ ~ chloride. The resulting characteristic red-brown C O I O ~ is~ probably that of a ferric salt, (Fe0,N=CR1R2)++; CJ section VI. Nitronate salts of weak bases such as ammonia and amines may be prepared from nitronic The reaction is conveniently conducted in ether solvent in which the salts are insoluble. O n standing, the ammonium salts of weak nitronic acids liberate ammonia to regenerate the nitronic acid3e.177(equation 201). R1K2C=N0,H

+ NH,

R1R2C=N0,-NH4+

(201)

Nitroalkanes react directly with ammonia or The kinetics of this second-order process has been examined with

113

1. Nitronic Acids and Esters

nitroethane”2. P-Nitro-l,3-indanedione readily forms stable salts (198) useful for characterization of a m i n e ~ ~ “ ~ . 0

0 (‘98)

Nitronate salts are very useful and important reaction intermediates. They are employed in numerous reactions, either in solution or in suspension in anhydrous solvents. Typical are aldol-type condensation (Henry reaction), Michael addition, acylation, 0and C-alkylation, and halogenation (to form a-halonitroalkanes). Thermal decomposition of nitronate salts has been B. Nitronic Acid Anhydrides

Simple nitronic anhydrides-acyclic 199 or cyclic 201-appear to be unstable compounds. T h e cyclic anhydrides 201 are known as furazan dioxides. Attempts to prepare them by oxidation of furazan oxides (200) have failed4ss-468.Evidence for a cyclic nitronic acid

P99)

(200)

f0

c1

Cl

(202)

\

(203)

’.O

m;: (201)

e

C1

(204)

(202)

anhydride 203 as a reaction intermediate is found in the facile interconversion of 4- and 5-chloro-2-nitronitrosobenzenes(202 and 204, respectively) (equation 202). Heating pure samples of either 202 or 204 a t low concentration in refluxing tetrachloroethane gave a mixture of equal parts of the two isomers, regardless of the direction from which equilibrium was approached4““. The known stable nitronic acid anhydrides are mixed anhydrides derived from secondary nitronic acids (with one exception) and carboxylic acids. These nitronic carboxylic acid anhydrides (Table 18) appear to be somewhat more stable than most nitronic esters.

CH,

cH30+

so;li+

NO*

NO,- K t

C,H,C(CN)=SO,-Na+

C,H,CH=SO,H C,H,C(CN)=NO,Ag

(CIH,),CHSO,

(CH,),C= NO,-Na'

Kitro compound

C,H,COCl

CH,COCl

CH,COCI

(CHSCO)2 0 , CH,CO,-K+ (C,H5CO)20, C,H,CO,-K+ CH,=C=O C,H,COCI

(C2H5C0)20

(CH,CO),O

Acylating agent

K0,COC,H5

-

275 41 1, 433

85

C,H,CH=SO,COCH, C,H5C(CN)=N0,COC6H,

NOZCOCH,

470

10

(CH,),C=NO,COC,H,

w

470 470 470

17 6 8

(CH,) ,C=NO,COC H, (CH,),C=N0,COC2H5 (CH,),C=NO,COCH,

275

275

170

Ref.

Yield

(70)

Anhydride

TABLE 18. Synthesis of nitronic carboxylic acid anhydrides.

.p

e c

I . Nitronic Acids and Esters

115

They may be prepared by acylation of a secondary nitronate salt with a n acid chloride, or anhydride275.411,4BS-471.Silver and alkali metal salts have been used (equations 203, 204). C ti C=NO,Ag

'

+ C,H,COCI

5~

CNO 0 85:; M.p. 116'

CN

(CH,),C=KO,-Na+

+ AgCl

C6H6 + C,H,C=NOCC,H, I 1 ll

I:q) + (CH,CO),O ---+

(CH,),C=NOCCH,

1 I/

(203)

+ CH,CO,-IVa+

0 0

(204)

17:;

T h e nitronate salt does not need to be prepared first. Treatment of a secondary nitroalkane with potassium acetate and a n acid anhydride leads to a low yield of mixed anhydride4'0. Ketene may be used as in the preparation of 205, the only known anhydride derived from a primary nitronic a ~ i d (equation ~ ~ ~ 205). . ~ ~This ~ compound could not be prepared by reaction of sodium phenylmethanenitronate with acetyl ch1oride"O. C,H5CH-N02H

+ CH,=C=O

d

C,H5CH-NOCCH, i I/

0 ii

(205)

(205) M.p. 98'

T h e physical properties of nitronic carboxylic anhydrides have not been examined extensively. No spectra appear to have been recorded. T h e compounds which have been prepared (Table 18) are relatively stable, distillable liquids or crystalline solids. Studies of reactions of nitronic carboxylic anhydrides are few. From what is known their reactions appear comparable to those of carboxylic anhydrides. However, a simple hydrolytic cleavage reaction to carboxylic and nitronic acids (or nitroalkanes) is not always found. Two reaction patterns are distinguished. Anhydrides derived from primary nitronic acids rearrange with great ease to hydroxamic acid esters. Those derived from secondary nitronic acids cannot undergo this rearrangement, but form other products. Reactions of primary nitronic carboxylic anhydrides prepared in situ can be observed by examining the reaction of salts of primary nitroalkanes with acid chlorides and anhydrides (equation 206). Nitronic carboxylic anhydrides have not been isolated from these reactions. Hydroxamic acid esters are the principal p r o d ~ c t s ~ ~ ' - ~ ~ ~ .

1I6

Arnold T. Nielsen

T h e reaction was discovered by Kissel in 1882472.Both sodium CH,CH=NO,-Na+

+ CH,COCI

C,H,CH=NO,-Na+

+ CH,COCI

__+

15

CH,CHNOCCH,

II

0

+ NaCl

+ NaCl

C H CNHOCC,H,

"11

II

0

(206)

0

ethanenitronate and sodium phenylmethanenitronate can yield dibenzohydroxamic acid with benzoyl ~ h l o r i d e ~ ~ (equations ,'~~-~~~ 207, 208). CeH5CH=N0,-Naf CH,CH=NO,-Na+

+ C,H,COCI

+ C,H,COCI I/

0

(207)

+ CsH,CONHOCC,H6 + NaCl

(208)

II

0 __f

CH,CNHOCC,H,

/I

+ NaCl

C,H,CNHOCC,H,

II

0

0

When primary nitronate salts are treated with a n excess of acylating agent, trisacylhydroxylamines result245. Acylation and transacylation of the hydroxamic ester are involved (equation 209).

(CH C O ) 0

RCH,NO,

CH,CO,-Na+

(CH,C0)2NOCCH,

II

+ RCO,-Na+

(209)

0 76-79% (R = CH,) 75-76% (R = CZH,) 6% (R = H)

Van Raalte observed that acyl exchange can occur when different aryl groups are present in the acid chloride and nitronate saltsn (equation 210). C6H5CH=N0,-Naf

+ 4-CICsH4COCI

4-CIC,H4CH=N0,-Na+

+ C,H5COCI

\ /

4-CIC H CNHOCCsH4-CI-4

II

641/

O

(2 10)

0

The mechanism of hydroxamic ester formation as suggested originally by probably involves initial formation of a nitronic carboxylic acid anhydride followed by a tautomeric rearrangement (equation 21 1). An oxaziran intermediate is possibly involved. The thermal rearrangement of oxazirans to amides has been studied4?, r~

1

H

I17

1. Nitronic Acids and Esters

and is accelerated (relative to N-alkyl) by N-aryl substitution4". However, the actual conversion of a primary nitronic carboxylic anhydride into its isomeric hydroxamic ester has yet to be described. Reactions of primary nitronic carboxylic anhydrides, prepared in situ, can also be examined by studying the reactions of primary nitronic acids, rather than the salts, with acid chlorides and anhydrides. Reaction of phenylmethanenitronic acid with acetyl or benzoyl chloride (or hydrogen chloride) leads to hydroxamic acid chloride 58249*275 (equation 212). In the presence of pyridine one obtains the benzoyl derivative 206, which is also obtained from 58 under the same conditi~ns"~ (equation 213). C,H5CH=N0,H + RCOCl +C H C=NOH + RCO,H (212) CI R = CH,, C6H5

C,H,CH=NO,H

(58)

M.p. 50-51'

+ C,H5COCI G"5N +C H C=NOCOC,H, + H 2 0 ' 'CII

(213)

(206)

The mechanism of this reaction may parallel the hydroxamic acid chloride forming reactions of nitronic acids (section 1II.C. 1.a) and esters (section 1V.C.1). Addition of hydrogen chloride to protonated anhydride 207, followed by loss of water and a proton from adduct 208 would yield 206; loss of benzoic acid would yield 58 (equation 214).

Arnold T. Nielsen

118

Reactions of secondary nitronic carboxylic acid anhydrides can be examined readily because of the stability of these substances. The acyl function remains intact in reaction products. The nitronic acid function may be destroyed, however. Hydrolysis of anhydride 209 with aqueous sodium hydroxide led to benzoic acid and u-cyanophenylnitromethane; reaction with phenylhydrazine led to hydrazide 210 (equations 215, 216)411. 0

t

I . NaOH

C,H5C=NOCOC,H5 I CN

C,H,CHNO, I

CN

(nos)

(:,H,SHNH,

209

+

+ C,H5C0,H

+ C,H,CONHNHC,H,

C,H,CHNO,

I

(215)

(216)

CN (210)

Hydrolysis of propane-2-nitronic acetic anhydride (211) by boiling water, with or without an acid catalyst, gave equal amounts of acetone and acetic acid in quantitative yield; nitrogen appeared as nitrous oxide and hydroxylamine (equation 21 7)470. I n sodium hydroxide, hydrolysis of 211 occurred to give the same carbon products; nitrogen appeared as ammonia, nitrogen, and nitrous oxide, but no hydroxylamine was found (equation 218)4’0. H,O or H,O+

(CH,),C=NOCOCH,

Kcflux 15

1

miti

+ (CH3)zC=O + CH,CO,H + N,O + NH,OH

0

100yo

100%

(2 17)

(211) 211

IOo,H20 S a O H 25”

t

(CH,),C=O

+ CH3C0,-Na+ + N,O + NH, + N,

(218)

(209)

Ethaiiolysis of 211 in the presence of an acid catalyst, but not in ethanol alone, occurred to yield acetoxime, ethyl acetate, and a trace of acetone (equation 219)470.Aminolysis of 211 with aniline led to acetanilide (quantitative yield) as well as acetoxime and ammonia (equation Z!O)470. 211

211

-

+ C,H,OH

+ C,H,NH,

Hral

H+

+(CH,),C=NOH Heat

27%

(CH,),C=NOH 18y0

+ CH3C0,C,H,

(2 19)

looq,

+ CH3CONHC,H5 + NH, IOOO,,

(220)

119

1. Nitronic Acids and Esters

T h e solvolysis reactions of nitronic carboxylic anhydrides would appear to require more than one mechanism. A simple cleavage to nitronic a nd carboxylic acids and derivatives (esters, salts) would explain most of the reactions. Alternative mechanisms may be invol\red, however. For example, acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of propane2-nitronic anhydride (211) (equation 217) to yield acetone a n d nitrous oxide could be the result of Nef hydrolysis of the resulting propane-2-nitronic acid. However, as in the acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of nitronic esters to Nef products, the failure to isolate any nitroalkane (equation 217) as a product suggests a n alternate mechanism. Like the 'ester-Nef' (section 1V.C. 1 ) ) an 'anhydride-Nef' is possible (equations 22 1, 222). K'

/

C-N

K'

/

\\

It1

\

/I

c-

R2 O H

/

s

I\\

H

0H

R' +H20+

/I

C--S

RZ OH

02CR3

/

OH

(22 1 )

I \

H O,CR~

R'

OH

+ 02CR3

C: /

0

+ R3C0,H + HNO + H'

(222)

R2

T h e formation of acetoxime and ethyl acetate from anhydride 211 by acid-catalyzed ethanolysis (equation 219) could be a result of nitronic ester formation (212), followed by disproportionation to the oxime (equations 223, 224), (CH,)2C=NOCOCH,

1

+ C2H,0H

0 (2111 212

-

__f

(CH,),C=-NOC,H,

1

0

+ CH,CO,C,H,

(223)

(212)

(CH,),C- NOH

+ CH,CHO

(224)

T he base-catalyzed cleavage of anhydride 209 to x-cyanophenylnitromethane an d benzoic acid (equation 215) appears as a simple cleavage to nitronate anion followed by tautomerization to the nitro compound. O n the other hand, the base-catalyzed cleavage of anhydride 211 (equation 218) to acetone and ammonia, and the aminolysis of 211 (equation 220) tc yield acetoxime and ammonia appear not to be nitronate anion reactions. 0-Alkyl oximes (e.g. 214) were observed on attempted acetylation of potassium 1-nitromethanenitronate (213) and I-nitroethanenitronate with acetyl chloride or acetyl nitrate (52 % yield of 214)469

Arnold T. Nielsen

120

(equation 225). Some 214 (12 %) was also formed in the reaction of 2 CH,C

I

+ CH,COCI

SO,-K+

c_f

NO, (213)

CH,C-NOC(NO,),CH,

I

+ CH,CO,-K+ + KCI

(225)

KO2 213

+ C,H,COCI

(214) 31%

--+-

214

+ CH,C=NOCOC,H, I

(226)

NO, (215)

213 with benzoyl chloride in which the benzoyl oxime 215 was produced469(equation 226). Formation of 214 suggests C-alkylation of an anhydride intermediate 216 by anion 217 (equation 227). Compound 214 has also been prepared from 217 and 1,l-dinitroethane4'*". 0

t

CH,C=NOCR

I

NO,

I1

+ CH,C(NO,),

__f

(227)

214

0

(216)

(217)

C. Nitronic Acid Halides

There are two published accounts purporting to describe nitronic acid ~ h l o r i d e s ~I n~ both * ~ ~ instances ~. the unstable oils obtained are very poorly characterized substances. Hantzsch and Veit32 treated phenylmethanenitronic acid with phosphorous pentachloride. The product was said to be acid chloride 218 (equation 228),

C,H5CH=N0,H

PCI,

+C,H,CH=N

7

0

(228)

C 'l (218)

a n exceptionally unstable oil. A more vigorous reaction occurred with 4-nitrophenylmethanenitronic acid to yield 4-nitrophenylnitr~rnethane,~. Reaction of nitroalkanes with picryl or N- (oxydichlorophosphino)pyridinium chloride a t 80-1 20" produces low-boiling oils

1 . Nitronic Acids and Esters

121

(distilled from the reaction mixture and condensed in cold traps) The compounds have and said to be nitronic acid chlorides 219479. the following colors; a, colorless; b and c, faint greenish blue; d, R'

\

r C=N

0

( a ) R1,R2 = H,H; b.p. 2-3"; m.p. - 4 3 O

(b)

H,CH,; b.p. 5' H,Et; b.p. 5' CH,,CH,; b.p. 15'

(6)

(4

intense blue. With aqueous or ethanolic ferric chloride no colors are developed with the compounds. The blue colors suggest the presence of nitroso compounds 220. 2-Chloro-2-nitropropane is known as a blue liquid b.p. 70" (760 mm)480. However, chloronitrosoalkanes RIRZCNO

RCLKOH

(220)

(221)

of the type RCH(C1)NO are known only in solution and readily I t appears isomerize to colorless a-chlorohydroxamic acids 221274". that the substances assigned structure 219 have not been adequately characterized, and a n authentic nitronic acid chloride is yet to be described. D. Nitronic Acid Amides

Nitronic acid amides are not well known. No substance having the hydrazone oxide structure 222 has been described. Nitronic acid amides of primary amides 223 would be azoxy tautomers 224. R1R2C=NNR3R4

1

0

(222)

R'R2C=NNHR3

1

R'R2CHN=NR3

1

0

0

(223)

(224)

A cyclic nitronic acid amide ('lactam') would be a pyrazole oxide 225 or pyrazoline oxide 226. Examples of the former are the indazole (equation 229). oxides; e.g. 227481-484

Arnold T. Nielsen

122

R

I

R (226)

1225)

c:N

CN

(229)

(227)

A nitronic acid imide would be a 2-H-1,2,3-triazole-l,3-dioxide

(228) ; none has been described. However, 1-oxides such as 229 have been ~ r e p a r e d ~ ~ ~ - ~ ~ ? .

R

0

(228)

(229)

Nitronic acid amides could exist as reaction intermediates. Aminolysis of nitronic carboxylic anhydrides might involve a nitronic acid amide intermediate (equation 220). Finally, nitrones (e.g. 231) may be considered the 'ketones' of the nitronic acid series. They have not been prepared directly from nitronic acids, but are available from oxazirans (230 + 231)24*454.477 (equation 230), C6H5CH-

\ /

NC(CH3),

0 (230)

Hrar

C6H,CH- h'C(CH3),

1

(230)

0 (231)

lOOO,&

VI. ANALYTICAL METHODS FOR N l T R O N l C ACIDS

Several methods are available for qualitative detection and quantitative determination of nitronic acids. Since tautomerization to the nitroalkane form often occurs readily in solution, the analytical method selected must consider this fact. The following tests do not apply to nitroalkanes. Some tests for nitronic acids are also applicable to nitronate anions. The ferric chloride test used for enolic substances may be applied to nitronic acids. A red color usually develops when aqueous or

I23

1 , Nitronic Acids and Esters

alcoholic solutions of nitronic acids are treated with dilute ferric cliloride s ~ l u t i o n ' ~ ' Green85 ~. or brown33 colors are also observed. This test, sometimes called the Konowalow reaction after its discoverer13, was employcd by the early workers in nitronic acid Cvlors with lerric chloride

Red

Ihrk green

I k c p brohn

c t i e m i ~ t r y ' ~T h~e~color ~ ~ ~is~ probably . due to a Fc"' nitronate salt, F e ( 0 , X =CRzKz)++, similar to the colored Fe"' phenolate salts, F e ( 0 A r ) + +488. 'The test has been the basis for a quantitative colorimetric method489. Bromine titration of nitronic acids occurs rapidly and is the basis of the K ur t Meyer analysis36 (equation 231). Bromine or ferric chloride may be used as a n indicator. Iodine monochloride has been R'R2C

NOzH

+ Hrz

__f

R'K'CNO,

+ HBr

(231)

Ijr

employed for quantitative analysis of nitronic acidszo9(equation 232). T h e unreacted iodine monochloride, which is employed in excess, is allowed to react with N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-p-plienyienediamine to produce the intensely blue Wurster radical cation 232, which may be assayed spectrophotometrically (equation 233). R1R2C-N0,H

+ ICI +R1R2CNOZ+ HCI I

(232 1

I

(232)Blue

T h e oxidizing property of nitronic acids is the basis of a n excellent quantitative methodZ76. A mixture of potassium nitronate salt a n d potassium iodide is acidified. T h e hydrogen iodide reacts with the liberated nitronic acid to produce iodine and a n oxime (equation 234). T h e iodine is then titrated with sodium thiosulfate employing starch indicator. R'R2C=N0,H

+ HI

R'R2C=NOH

+ I,

(234)

Arnold T. Nielsen

I24

Polarography has frequently been employed as a convenient method of quantitative analysis of nitronic acid-nitroalkane mixtures38~44~47~110~3F1~490. The nitronic acid form, as well as the nitronate anion, are not reduced polarographically at the dropping mercury electrode at the same voltage as nitroalkanes. T h e greater acidity of nitronic acids (pK, 3-6) over the parent nitroalkanes (pK, 8-10) [ApK, = ca. 3-6 (Figure 5)] is a property llr

1

ACI 0

PK-o

1 CH(NO2I3

I

2 CH3CH(N021Z 3 CH3CHzCH(N0212 4 CH2(NO2I2

5 C6H5CHZN02 6 (CH3i2CHNO2 7 CH3CHZNOz 8 CH3CH2CHzNOZ

-*I

9 CHJ(CH2)5CH(CH3)N02 10 02N(CH216N02

-3

0

1

1 I CH3N02

2

3

4 pK,

F.],tro

6

5

PCI

7

8

9 1 0

- PKo-

FIGURE5. Plot of pK$ci and pKFitro vs. pKtitro - p K $ c i . Data for nitronic acids and nitroalkanes in water at 25' in Table 5.

frequently employed for analysis. The nitronic acids are usually soluble in sodium bicarbonate solution'; most nitroalkanes are not (see p K , values in Table 5, section 1I.D). Sodium hydroxide solution is not suitable for nitronic acid titration since nitroalkanes also react. 1,l-Dinitroalkanes and their nitronic acids are of nearly equal

I . Nitronic Acids and Esters

125

acid strength (pK, 5-6); 4. Figure 5. Because of their relatively greater acidity, nitronic acids are better conductors in solution than nitroalkanes. The conductometric method has frequently been employed for quantitative analysis of those nitronic acids which have conductivities significantly greater than the corresponding nitroalkanes28-31 , 1 1 2 A most convenient analytical method, useful for rapid determination-as in kinetic studies-takes advantage of the strong characteristic nitronic acid 7r - 7r* ultraviolet absorption band in the ultraviolet region near 240 mp52.53. Nitroalkanes do not absorb significantly in this region. Rapid reactions, such as mi-nitro tautomerization, may easily be followed by this spectrophotometric methods2. VII. REFERENCES I . A. Hantzsch and 0. b’. Schultze, Chem. Bcr., 29, 699 (1896). 2. H. B. Hass and E. F. Riley, Chem. Rev., 32, 373 (1943). 3. P. A. S. Smith, The Chemistry of Open-Chain Organic Nitrogen Compounds, Vol. 11, W. A. Benjamin, Inc., New York, 1966, pp. 391-454. 4. W. E. Noland, Chem. Rev.,5 5 , 136 (1955). 5. H. B. Hass and M. L. Bender, J. Am. Chcm. SOC.,71, 1767 (1949). 6. E. Barnberger, Chem. Ber., 35, 54 (1902). 7. A. Hantzsch, Chcm. Bcr., 38, 998 (1905). 8. A. Hantzsch, Chem. Bcr., 32, 575 (1899). 9. A. F. Hollernan, Chem. Ber., 33, 2913 (1900). 10. H. Shechter and J. W. Shepherd, J. Am. Chem. SOC.,76, 3617 (1954). 1 1. The Naming and Indexing of Chemical Compounds from Chemical Abstracts, Chem. Abstr., 56. I N (1962). 12. Nomenclature of Organic Clumisfry, Definitive Rules for Sections A, B, and C, 2 Vols., International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry Edition, Butterworths, London, 1965, 1966. 13. M. I. Konowalow, Chem. Ber., 29, 2 I93 (1896). 14. A. F. Holleman, Rec. Trau. Chim., 4, 121 (1895). 15. J. U. Net, Ann. Chem. 280, 264 (18944. 16. R. Kuhn and H. Albrecht, Chem. Ber., 60, 1297 (1927). 17. R. L. Shriner and J. H. Young, .I. Am. Chem. SOC.,52, 3332 (1930). 18. N. Kornblum, N. M. Lichtin, J. T. Patton, and D. C. Iffland, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 69, 307 (1947). 19. N. Kornblurn, J. T. Patton, and J. B. Nordmann, J . Am. Chcm. Soc., 70, 746 (1948). 20. W. Theilacker and G. Wendtland, Ann. Chem., 570, 33 (1950). 21. E. Schmitz, Adu. Heterocyclic Chem., 2, 85 (1963). 22. F. Klages, R. Heisle, H. Sitz, and P. Specht, Chcm. Ber., 98, 2387 (1963). 23. N. Kornblurn and R. A. Brown, J. Am. Chem. SOC.,86, 2681 (1964). 24. G. R. Delpierre and M. Larnchen, Quart. Rev. (London), IS, 329 (1965). 25. J. Meisenheirner and H. Meis, Chem. Bcr., 57, 289 (1924).

126

Arnold T. Nielsen

E. P. Kohler, J . Am. Chem. Soc., 46, 1733 (1924). E. B. Hodge, J . .4m. Chem. Soc., 73,2341 (1951). S. H. Maron and V. K. LaMer, J . Am. Chem. So(., 60, 2588 (1938). S. H . Maron and V. K. LaMer, J . Am. Chem. Soc., 61, 692 (1939). S. H . Maron and V. K . LaMer, J . A m . Chem. Soc., 61,2018 (1939). S. H . Maron and T. Shedlovsky, J . Am. Chem. Soc., 61, 753 (1939). A. Hantzsch and A. Veit, Chem. Ber., 32, 607 (1899). A. Hantzsch and 0. \V. Schultze, Chem. Rer., 29, 2251 (1896). G. E. K. Branch and J . Jaxon-Deelman, J . A m . Chem. Soc., 49, 1765 (1927). K. H. Meyer and ;I.Sandrr, .4nn. Chem., 396, 133 (1913). K. H . Meyer and P. Wertheimer, Chem. Ber., 47, 2374 (1914). R. Junell, Z. Physik. Chem., A141, 71 (1929). V. M. Belikov, S. (;. Mairanovskii, T. B. Korchernnaya, S. S . Novikov, and V. A. Klimova, I Z U .Akad. Nauk SSSR Ser. Khim., 1960, 1675; Chem. Abslr., 55, 8325 (1961). 39. V. M. Belikov, S. (;. Mairanovskii, T. R. Korchemnaya, and S. S. Sovikov, I z u . Akad. Nauk SSSR Ser. Khim., 1961, 1108; Chem. Abstr., 58, 8880 (1963). 40. V. M. Belikov, S. G. Mairanovskii, T. B. Korchemnaya, and S. S. Novikov, Izu. Akad. Nauk SSSR Ser. Khim., 1962,605. 41. V. M. Belikov, S. G. Mairanovskii, T. R. Korchernnaya, and V. P. Gul’tyai, I z u . .4kad. Nauk. SSSR Ser. Khim., 1964, 439; Chem. A6s!r,, 61, 1741 (1964). 42. \’. M. Belikov, T. n. Korchernnaya, S. G . Mairanovskii, and S . S. Novikov, I z u . Akad. Nauk SSSR Ser. Khim., 1964, 1599; Chem. :16str., 61, 15953 (1964). 43. S. S. Novikov, V. M. Belikov, Yu. P. Egorov, E. N. Safonova, and L. V. Semenov, Izu. Akad. Nauk SSSR Ser. Khim., 1959, 1438; Chem. .4bstr., 53, 21 149 (1959). 44. J . Armand, Compl. Rend., 254, 2777 (1962). 45. J. Armand and P. Souchay, Compt. Rend., 255, 21 12 (1962). 46. J. Armand, P. Souchay, and S. Deswarte, Tetrahedron, 20, Suppl. 1, 249 (1964). 47. J . Armand, Bull. .Tot. Chim. France, 1965, 3246. 48. P. Souchay and J. JIrmand, Compt. Rend., 253,460 (1961). 49. P. Souchay and S. Deswarte, Compt. Rend., 255,688 (1962). 50. H . Feuer and A. T. Nielsen, J . .4m. Chem. Soc., 84, 688 (1962). 51. H . Feuer and A. T. Nielsen, Tetrahedron, 19, Suppl. 1 , 65 (1963). 52. A. T. Nielsen and H. F. Cordes, Tetrahedron, 20, Suppl. 1, 235 (1964). 53. U‘. Kemula, Roczniki Chem., 35, I169 (1961); Chem. Abstr., 56, 6798 (1962). 54. A. F. Holleman, Rec. Trao. Chim., 16, 162 (1897). 55. S. G. Mairanovskii, V. M. Belikov, T. B. Korchemnaya, V. A. Klirnova, and S. S . Novikov, I r v . Akad. Nauk SSSR Ser. Khim., 1960, 1785; Chem. Absfr., 55, 19832 ( I96 1 ). 56. R . G. Pearson and R. L. Dillon, J . Am. Chem. Soc., 75,2439 (1953). 57. R. G. Pearson and R. L. Dillon, J . Am. Chem. Soc., 72, 3574 (1950). 58. A. T. Nielsen, J . Org. Chem. 27, 2001 (1962). 59. D. Turnbull and S. H. Maron, J . Am. Chcm. Soc., 65,212 (1943). 60. G. W. Wheland and J. Farr, J . Am. Chem. Soc., 65, 1433 (1943). 61. R . G. Cooke and A. K. Macbeth, J . Chcm. Soc., 1938, 1024. 62. M. A. Van Raalte, Rec. Trau. Chim., 18, 378 (1899). 63. A. F. Holleman, Rrc. Trau. Chim., 15,365 (1896). 64. T. S. Patterson and A. McMillan, J . Chem. Soc., 1908, 1041. 65. E. P. Kohler and J. F. Stone, Jr., J . Am. Chem. Soc., 52, 761 (1930).

26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38.

1 . Nitronic Acids and Esters

127

66. J . -4. Sousa and J . Weinstein, J . Org. Chem., 27, 3 I55 (1962). 67. R. E. Hardwick, H. S. Mosher, and P. Passailaigiie, Trans. Faraday S O L . , 56, 44 ( 1960). 68. R. E. Hardwick and H. S. Mosher, J . Chem. Plys., 36, 1402 (1962). 69. H . S. Mosher, C . Souers, and R. Hardwick, J . Chern. Phys., 32, 1888 (1960). 70. A. Ficalbi, Gazz. Chim. ltal., 93, 1530 (1963). 71. H. Morrison and 13. H. Migdalof, J . Org. Chem., 30, 3996 (1965). 72. H . S. Mosher, R. E. Hardwick, and D. Ben Hur, J . Chem. W ~ v s .37, , 904 (1962). 73. H . Hiraoka and R . E. Hardwick, Bull. Chem. Soc. Japan, 39, 380 (1966). 74. ,,I. L. Bluhm, J. IVeinstein, and J . A. Sousa, J . Org. Chem., 28, 1989 (1963). 75. A. L. Bluhm, J . I\. Sousa, and J. Il'einstein, J . Or,?. Chem., 29, 636 (1964). 76. . K . Sauntlrrs, J. Or,?. Chin.. 19, 381 (1954). '243. V. hlcyer ;iritl (:. \\'urstcr, Chem. Ber.,G, 1168 (1873). 244. E. Ihmbergcr and E. Kuat. Chern. I j e r . , 35, 45 (1902). 24s. 'r. Urbakki. .I. (,'hem. .Yor.> 1949, :3974. 246. H. I,. Ynlr, ( ; h t r r i . Kei ., 33, 209 (1943). 247. '1'. Sinimons ;ind K . 1.. Krcuz, hrthcoming publication. 248. .\. H;istnrr and J . larkin. .I. :lrn. (;hem. ,Sor., 85, 2181 (1963). 249. \ \ . Stcinkopf;~nd1%..Jurgens, ./. Prokt. Chem., 121 84, Mi (191 I ) . 250. \\. Stcinkopl ; i d 11. Jurgtms, ./. f'rokf. Chmi., 1'21 83,453 (191 I / . 251. K. I:. Plapinscr. J . O y . (:hem., 24, 802 (1959). 252. I:,. Ihmbcrgrr, .I. Prakt. Chern., [ 2 ] 101, 328 (1921).

132

Arnold T. Nielsen

V. Meyer, Ann. Chcm., 171, 1 (1874). V. Meyer, Chem. Ber., 8, 29 (1875). R. Preibisch, J. Prakt. Chcm., [2] 7, 480 (1873). R. Preibisch, J . Prakf. Chem., [2] 8 , 309 (1873). A. Geuther, Chem. Ber., 7, 1620 (1874). J. Donath, Chem. Ber., 10, 776 (1877). J. Ziiblin, Chem. Ber., 10, 2083 (1877). P. AlexCeff, Bull. Soc. Chim. France, 46, 266 (1886). S. Gabriel and M. Koppe, Chem. Bcr., 19, 1145 (1886). L. Henry, Rec. Trav. Chim., 17, 399 (1898). R. A. Worstall, Am. Chem. J.,21, 218 (1899). V. Perekalin and S. Sopova, Zh. Obshch. Khim., 24,513 (1954);Chcm. Abstr., 49,6180 (1955). 265. B. F. Burrows and W. B. Turner, J . Chcm. SOC.( C ) , 1966, 255. 266. N. N. Mel'nikov, Zh. Obshch. Khim., 4, 1061 (1934); C h m . Absfr., 29, 3979 (1935). 267. N. Levy, C. W. Scaife, and A. E. Wilder-Smith, J. Chcm. Soc., 1946, 1096. 268. T. Urbaikki and T. Dobosz, Bull. Acad. Polon. Sci. Classe ( I I I ) , 5, 541 (1957); C h m . Absfr., 52, 2738 (1958). 269. T. UrbaAski, Tetrahedron, 2, 296 (1958). 270. D. C. Berndt and R. L. Fuller, J . Org. Chem., 31, 3312 (1966). 271. M. C. Sneed and R. C. Brasted, Comprehensive Inorganic Chemistry, Vol. 5, D. Van Nostrand, Princeton, N.J., 1956, p. 40. 272. L. G. Donaruma and M. I. Huber, U.S. Pat. 2,702,801 (1955); Chcm. Abstr., 50, 1896 (1956). 273. L. G. Donaruma and M. I. Huber, J. Org. Chem., 21, 965 (1956). 274. 0. Piloty and H. Steinbock, Chem. Ber., 35, 3101 (1902). 274a. G . Gasnati and A. Ricca, Tetrahedron Lcfters, 1967, 327. 275. C. D. Nenitzescu and D. A. Isacescu, Bull. SOC.Chim. Romania, 14, 53 (1932) ;Chern. Abstr., 27, 964 (1933). 276. V. A. Klimova and Ii. S. Zabrodina, IzL'.rlkad. Nauk SSSR Scr. Khim., 1961, 176; Chern. Abstr., 55, 18453 (1961). 277. H. Wieland and L. Semper, Chem. Ber., 39, 2522 (1906). 278. V. Meyer, Chem. Ber., 6, 1492 (1873). 279. V. Meyer, Ann. Chem., 175, 88 (1875). 280. G. A. Russell, J . Am. Chem. Soc., 76, 1595 (1954). 281. E. M. Nygaard, J. H. McCracken, and T. T. Noland, US.Pat. 2,370,185 (1945); Chem. Abstr., 39, 3551 (1945). 282. E. M. Nygaard, U S . Put. 2,401,267 (1946); Chem. Abstr., 40, 6092 (1946). 283. E. h l . Sygaard and T . T. Noland, US. Pat. 2,401,269 (1946); Chcm. Abstr., 40, 6093 (1946). 284. A. I. Titov and V. V. Smirnov, Dokl. Akad. Nauk SSSR,83,243 (1952) ; Chem. Abstr., 47, 4298 (1953). 285. L. I . Iihmrlnitskii, S. S. Novikov, and 0. V. Lebedev, Izv. Akad. Nauk SSSR Scr. h'him., 1960, 1783; Chem. Abstr., 55, 19833 (1961). 286. S. S. Novikov, 0. V. Lrbcdev, I,. I. Khmelnitskii, and Yu. P. Egorov, Zh. Obshch. h'him., 28, 2305 (1958); Chem. Abstr., 53, 41 12 (1959). 287. It'. !\ill, (,'hem. Ber., 47, 961 (1914). 288. S. S. S o v i k o v , A. A. Fainzilberg, S. A. Shevelev, I. S. Korsakova, K. K. Babievskii, Dokl. Akud. Nauk SSSR, 1960, 846; Chem. Abstr., 54, 20841 (1960).

253. 254. 255. 256. 257. 258. 259. 260. 261. 262. 263. 264.

I . Nitronic Acids and Esters

I33

289. S. S. Novikov, A. A. Fainzilberg, S. A. Shevelev, I. S. Korsakova, and K . K. Babievskii, Dokf. Akad. Nauk SSSR, 124,589 (1959); Chem. Abstr., 53, 11206 (1959). 290. V. Meyer and G. Ambuhl, Chem. Ber., 8, 1073 (1875). 291. V. Meyer, Chem. Ber., 9, 384 (1876). 292, A. F. Holleman, Rec. Trau. Chim., 13,405 (1894). 293. E. Bamberger, Chem. Ber., 31, 2626 (1898). 294. E. Bamberger, Chem. Ber., 33, 1781 (1900). 295. E. Bamberger, Chem. Ber., 36, 90 (1903). 296. E. Bamberger, 0. Schmidt, and H. Levinstein, Chem. Ber., 33, 2043 (1900). 297. E. Bamberger and 0. Schmidt, Chem. Ber., 34, 574 (1901). 298. E. Bamberger and J. Grob, Chem. Ber., 35, 67 (1902). 299. E. Bamberger and J. Frei, Chem. Ber., 35, 82 (1902). 300. Farbenfabriken Bayer, B r i t . Pat. 684,369 (1952); Chem. Abstr., 48, 2095 (1954). 301. C. S. Coe and T. F. Doumani, US. Pat. 2,656,393 (1953); Chcm. Abstr., 48, 10049 ( 1954). 302. A. A. Artem’ev, E. V. Cenkina, A. B. Malimonova, V. P. Trofil’kina, and M. A. Isaenkova, Zh. Vses. Khim. Obshchesfva im. D . I. Mendeleeua, 10, 588 (1965); Chcm. Abstr., 6 4 , 1975 (1966). 303. M. A. Rakin, U . S . S . R . Pat. 173,777 (1965); Chem. Abstr., 64, 1980 (1966). 304. H. \$’elz and J. \l’eise, Cer. Pat. 837,692 (1952); Chem. Abstr., 47, 1729 (1953). 305. G. A. Russell, E. G. Janzen, and E. T. Strorn, J . Am. Chem. Soc., 86, 1807 (1964). 306. F. Ratz, hfonatsh. Chem., 25, 55 (1904). 307. O.v.Schickh, U.S. Pat. 2,712,032 (1955); Brit. Pat., 716,099 (1954); Chem. Abstr., 50, 13080 (1956). 308. D. A. Isacescu, Bull. Soc. Chim. Romania, 18A, 63 (1936); Chem. Abstr., 31, 3036 (1937). 309. C . D. Senitzescu and I . G. Dinulescu, Izu. Akad. Nauk. SSSR Ser. Khim., 1958, 1228; Chem. ilbstr., 53, 5208 (1959). 310. C . Dale and R . L. Shriner, J . Am. Chem. Soc., 58, 1502 (1936). 31 I. H . Shechtcr and R . 13. Kaplan, J . A m . Chem. Soc., 75, 3980 (1953). 312. G. A. Russell, A. J . Moye, E. G. Janzen, S. Mak, and E. R. Talaty, J . Org. Chem. 32, 137 (1967). 313. C. D. Nenitzescu, Chem. Ber., 62, 2669 (1929). 314. (;. A. Russell and M’.C. Danen, J . A m . Chem. Soc., 88,5663 (1966). 89, 300 (1967). 315. (;. A. Russell and E. G. Janzen, J . A m . Chem. SOL., 316. B. C. Gilbert and K. 0. C. Norman, J . Chem. Soc., ( B ) , 1966, 722. 317. \$’. \\’islicrnus and A. Endres, Chem. Ber., 36, I194 (1903). 318. E. ter Meer, Ann. Chem., 181, 1 (1876). 319. M. F. Hawthorne and R. D. Strahm, J. .4m. Chem. Soc., 79, 3471 (1957). 320. E. M. Nygaard and T. T . Noland, U.S. Pat. 2,396,282 (1946); Chern. Abstr., 40, 3126 (1946). 321. J. Armand, B u f f .SOC. Chim. France, 1966, 543. 2 2 . M.F. Hawthorne, .I. A m . Chem. Soc., 78,4980 (1956). 323. H . Feuer, C. E. Colwell, G. Leston, and A. T. Nielsen, J. Org. Chem., 27, 3598 ( 1962). 324. M . Simonetta and G. Favini, A t t i Accad. N a z l . Lincei. Mem., Classe Sci.Fis., Mat. Nat. Sez., 18, 636 (1955); Chem. Abstr., 5 0 , 4600 (1956). 325. R. A. Gotts and L. Hunter, J . Chem. Soc., 125, 442 (1924). 326. S. M . Losanitsch, Chem. Ber., 15,471 (1882).

134

Arnold T. Nielsen

(;. H . Hrown and K. I,. Shrinrr, ./. Or,?,.. ( h n . , 2, :37b (1937). L. 11'. Srigle and H. U. Ha\\, ./. Or,q. Chmi,, 5, 100 (194Oj. H . ~ \ ' i c I ~ i i i 1' d., (;arbsch, iind .J. J . Chavan, . I n n . (;%em., 461, '295 (1928). H. Frucr antl 1'. hl. I'ivawer, J . Or,?, (:hem., 31, 3152 (1966). 11.Lucas, Chem. H e r . , 32, 000 (1899). K . Fries antl F.. I'usch, :Inn. Chem., 442, 272 (1925). T. Simmons, K. F. Love, and K.I,. Krruz, ./. Or~g.(,'hem., 31, 2400 (1966). R . E. Schaub, \\'. Fulmor, and M. J . \Vris, Telmhedron, 20, 373 (1964). H. Feuer in : l b s l r m l s 152nd .Imeriran (;hmrirnl ,Sorie!y .\feeling, New York, N.Y., Sept. 19Mi (Paprr S o . S-157). 336. G. 1'anags antl .J. I h n g s , Chem. Ber, 75B, 987 (1942). 337. T. h l . Lowry, J . Chem. Sor., 75, 2 I I (1899). 337a. A. )I.(;riswold and P. S. Starchrr, J . Or%?.Chem.. 30, 1687 (1965). 338. o\vry a n d \S, Kohrrtson, J . Chtm. .Sor., 85, 1541 (1904). 357. T. M . Lowry and E. H . Magson, ./. C h e m . Sor., 93, 107 (1908). 358. 'r, hl. Lowry arrtl C . 1 1 . Desch, ./. Chem. .Yor., 95, 807 (1909). 359. '1'. M . lmwry and 1'. Sterlr, ./. Chem. .Six.% 107, 1038 (1915). 360. T. M . I.owry and H . I)urgess, ./. (,'hem. .Sor., 123,2 I I 1 (1923). 361. ,\. Hantzsch a n t i K. \.oigt, Chin. Ber., 45, 85 (1912). 3 6 2 . I